Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - July 18, 2010
From: Rock Hill, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants, Privacy Screening, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for delineating property line
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a neighbor who does not mow his grass or take care of a strip that runs between my property and his. I would like to plant some inexpensive, low maintenance, shrubs, that would do well in full shade. I thought about planting pampas grass. I live near the North Carolina South Carolina line. What would be a good tree or shrub to plant that would help delineate my yard from his? Not too concerned with privacy.ANSWER:
Please do not plant Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass). It is native to South America and is considered to be invasive. Please look at the South Carolina Recommended page to find a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscaping in North Carolina. Using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the sidebar you can select various criteria for your plant. For instance, under GENERAL APPEARANCE, select 'Shrub' and under LIGHT REQUIREMENT select 'Sun - 6 or more hours' or whichever category applies to your situation. You can also make selections from other categories. Here are a few recommendations from that list, but you can make your own choices:
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) grows 6 to 12 feet high and is evergreen and the female plants have pale blue berries.
Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush) grows 6 to 12 feet high and is deciduous.
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark) grows 3 to 10 feet high and is fast-growing and deciduous.
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) grows 6 to 12 feet high and is deciduous.
Viburnum dentatum (southern arrowwood) grows 6 to 8 feet tall and is deciduous.
You could consider putting up some sort of lattice on the property line that could hold a vine. There are two evergreen vines that grow in South Carolina, Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) and Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle).
You could also consider using a fern. Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern) will grow in sun, part shade and shade but does require adequate moisture.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Privacy Screening Questions
Need to know how to plant trees to create a windbreak in Ashburn, VA.
May 06, 2010 - I want to know how to plant trees to create windbreaks. I live on a slope of a hill, the front of the house is steep and the back of the house has neighbors in a cul de sac. I swear I live in a wind...
view the full question and answer
Blocking out noise from pond pump in Holly MI
April 02, 2010 - My neighbor has a motor for his pond pump that faces my backyard--it is extremely loud and irritating after listening to it for 5 hours or more. Is there any type of shrub that I can plant to block o...
view the full question and answer
Evergreens to replace a screening line of pine trees
December 02, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smartyplants,
I lost a "screening" line of pines along my back property line to powerline trimmers & a blight. The area is quite damp & the soil full of clay which is now acidic from the...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for a barrier hedge
October 13, 2008 - Is there a native hedge I can plant to provide privacy? I have hostile neighbors behind me and would rather plant a hedge than put up a fence. I looked through the Virginia native species and didn'...
view the full question and answer
Privacy hedge for East Texas
January 07, 2009 - I need suggestions for a native shrub/bush as a privacy hedge for East Texas conditions. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
