Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - March 04, 2011
From: McLean, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Small Tree or Shrub for Northern Virginia
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I live in Northern Virginia in the metro D.C. area and we just had a large pine tree topple over in the front of our house. We would like to replace it with a native evergreen that wouldn't grow up as tall as the power lines and would act as a nice privacy screen. The space is between two driveways near the street (hence the power line issue) and it is a southern exposure. The soil is dense and very heavy clay. There isn't a lot of traffic on the street and the previous pine did very well but it was over 60 years old and had been severely pruned back by the power company. Thank you for any assistance you can give! You've been so helpful in the past.ANSWER:
Here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer to a questioner from your area looking for a plant similar to what you are looking for. I'll offer one more plant for your consideration: Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine). You didn't say how high your power lines are and this may get too tall (15 - 40 feet)
Your clay soil may not be ideal for these plants, but with enough care, they should survive.
More Shrubs Questions
Trees and shrubs for South Austin
April 18, 2011 - I live in South Austin about 5 miles east of LBJ Wildflower Center. Soil: about 2" apparently amended, about 2 inches black soil, then hard caliche. What trees or large shrubs would be able to sur...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Carolina Laurel Cherry from Pflugerville, TX
September 02, 2011 - In 2007 we planted 7 Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana)across our back fence. Everything was fine until this year. Three of the trees seemed to get sick and a local arborist said the roots ne...
view the full question and answer
Planting Texas Mountain Laurel seeds in Horse Shoe Bay,TX
July 09, 2012 - I have harvested Texas Mountain Laurel pods and extracted the seeds from the pods. The seeds are characteristic red/orange/maroon. When is the best time and best method to introduce seeds into pots? ...
view the full question and answer
Shrubs to grow in a narrow area no taller than 3 ft. in Cadiz, KY.
May 27, 2011 - I need to plant shrubs in a narrow area between my house and sidewalk. I have a low porch so I want the shrub to grow no taller than 3 ft. What do you recommend? It is in full sun.
view the full question and answer
Native perennial winter plants for Waco, TX
November 03, 2004 - I live in the Waco area, and would like to know winter plants that I could use that would come back each year, flowering or otherwise.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |