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.
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Trees and other plants for privacy along lake shoreline March 09, 2013 We are purchasing a new home that has a 2 acre lake. We would like to add some plants/trees for privacy around the shore line. Can you suggest something that would fill in nicely and is strong enoug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Screening Suggestions in Brooklyn, NY March 08, 2013 My neighbor directly in back of me has shrubs that are growing all over my fence. Also his 9-foot-tall shed facing me is rusted. What can I do to improve my view so that I can enjoy my backyard more? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Landscaping a Fence with Native Plants for Central Texas March 08, 2013 I'm looking to landscape my fence that I've lined with woven bamboo. The area gets the hot afternoon sun in summer and is pretty shady in winter. The plants need to be drought and heat tolerant. I'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need recommendations for privacy screen in Richmond, VA February 27, 2013 Hello, I read through the previous posts on privacy screen plantings in the Mid Atlantic region. There was a lot of great information, but I has a specific question that was not answered. I would li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy Tree for Austin, TX February 10, 2013 Can you recommend a tall privacy plant similar to the Thuya Green Giant that is suitable to the Austin environment? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need a privacy screen of native plants for swimming pool in Garden Ridge, TX February 10, 2013 We are building a pool and would like to use native plants as a screen around the fence, preferably a shrub that grows quickly to about 6 feet. Any suggestions? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hiding a chicken house from Glen Rose TX February 06, 2013 To hide a chicken house, which do you recommend, crape myrtles or chinese photinias? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Thorny shrub for deterring break-ins in southeast Texas February 05, 2013 Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Rosa Rugosa rose but it is not native. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need small, fast growing trees for privacy screen in Buda, TX. February 01, 2013 Please recommend some small, but fast growing, flowering trees to plant along a western fence for privacy View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Barrier Planting in Boston January 29, 2013 I live in the Boston area and a school is being built right behind my property. The school kindly left me a 100' barrier that includes some 40' high pines, a couple of tall oaks and some spindly po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Large shrub or tree for front door in Houston January 16, 2013 I am in search of a shrub or tree to plant next to my front door. I want a showy medium sized shrub or tree (8 to 12 ft), decorative, and a privacy screen since my front door faces my next door neig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen Privacy Screen for Maryland November 19, 2012 I am looking for an evergreen that will suffice to be planted as a privacy screen between my property and my neighbors. Looking to plant a row at the property line. The lot is shaded most of the d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Living fence line from Thomasville GA November 04, 2012 I would like to create a natural fence line on my property in South Georgia. They need to be pretty dense and horse, cow, goat friendly, growing to a height of about 4ft, preferably quickly! Do you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Puppy-friendly privacy screen in Montana November 02, 2012 I need some puppy-friendly short(< 30') privacy from the gigantic windows of my next door neighbor. But- there are power lines above the area that I needed to plant! I had planned on an aspen grove, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen for privacy screen in Northern California October 19, 2012 Hello, My neighbor just logged their property and we need a very quick growing evergreen shrub/tree (for privacy of ugly cabin) that grows to at least 10' -15' tall. We live in northern Cal. about ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is purple bindweed good for a screen growing on a fence? September 12, 2012 We cleared a bunch of dead trees and tree limbs (mostly cedars and some oaks) on our semi-rural property in Driftwood and now we're left with an undesirable view onto the neighboring property. We're... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen shrub for hedge in pasture in California August 15, 2012 I am looking at putting in a hedge along a pasture between my neighbor and me. I was considering a podacarpus plant about every 4' for 100'. is this a fast growing, full thickness, tall evergreen bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for a property line in Birmingham, AL August 15, 2012 I am looking for a plant to help establish a property line. Our neighbor's landscaping/mowing company has a large turnover, and the new employees always get confused about where the property line is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Looking for tree to absorb sound from neighbor's pool August 09, 2012 Our neighbors have put in a new pool with a harmonic pitch sound which resonates in my home. We have tried rubber mats and foam on the fence. Nothing is working. My pool guy suggested trees as the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trees for privacy screen August 08, 2012 Hello, We'd like to plant a privacy screen to hide our view of an adjacent apartment complex. Ideally the trees or other plantings might be a native species, and preferably they would eventually rea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
A privacy hedge for a shady spot in Austin, TX July 02, 2012 What is a good choice for a privacy hedge in west Austin in a predominantly shady area? I'd like it to be 8-12 feet, along the fence, so as to obstruct the view of the neighbor's yard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen Privacy Hedge for Long Island June 29, 2012 I live on Long Island and want a privacy evergreen hedge partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy Screen for Reading MA June 27, 2012 Best tree to grow for a privacy screen - Hello, we recently moved into a new house in Reading and have an open area on the side of our house where we can make a privacy screen from our neighbors. Wha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreens for privacy in VA June 24, 2012 I need fast growing evergreens or large shrubs, flowering or non-flowering, for privacy. They will need to flourish among large oak and hickory trees that are 75 plus years old. We don't want to dama... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California June 16, 2012 What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need a privacy screen beside a pool in Las Vegas, NV. June 15, 2012 Hi, I need to plant a privacy screen fence next to the pool. There is only 4-5 feet between the wall and the pool. That leaves only about 2 feet for soil. What are my best options for non invasive r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL June 10, 2012 I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need a vine to cover a chainlink fence in the shade in Tarrytown, NY. June 08, 2012 Any advice for a vine to cover a chain link fence in shade View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need suggestions for privacy hedge in New River, AZ. June 05, 2012 Hi! I live on a acre that is fenced and cross-fenced with 6' chain link. I am desperate to find a drought tolerant, very low water, non-toxic, fast growing privacy hedge or vine that I can plant arou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shade trees for Tucson AZ May 25, 2012 I need to plant some "fast growing" trees or shrubs on my southwest yard in order to reduce the heat in my bedroom. What do you suggest? I live in Tucson, Arizona. Thank you in advance. I'm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Screening Planter Recommendations for Lakeway TX May 16, 2012 I live in Lakeway in a townhome. The parking lot is directly in front of my unit so I always see headlights and cars. The HOA has agreed to build a planter about 4 feet high to help hide the cars. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen screening plant for California May 08, 2012 I am looking for an evergreen plant that can be used as a screen. Maybe something wispy. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need suggestions for privacy hedge in Northern NJ. May 01, 2012 Hi, I'm looking for advice on what plant would make an excellent privacy hedge in Northern NJ (Bergen County). Ideally something low maintenance, about 5 feet tall, would act as a fence. Thanks... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen for privacy screen in San Antonio April 30, 2012 I am looking to plant native fast-growing evergreens that will provide privacy (growing taller than our fence). We live in San Antonio and the Red Tip Photinia seems to be everywhere! I heard that t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Construction problems on site in Mansfield OH April 28, 2012 Last year we had a rectangular above ground pool put in the person who "leveled" for use did a terrible job and basically dug a huge hole for us to put our pool in. The back side of the pool is abou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy screen for pool from Southlake TX April 21, 2012 I have a row of 7 live oaks that help block my neighbors two story house. Unfortunately, there is a gap between each tree of about 8 feet wide and 15 feet tall (from ground to the first branches/ leav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shrubs/ Trees for Privacy Screening on Cape Cod April 17, 2012 Hi, I need a recommendation for a row of trees/shrubs that I can put on my boundary line to block my neighbor. It's in a wooded area that I could thin somewhat. I would need them to be fast growing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Small trees for property edge in Katy TX April 16, 2012 By deed restriction, I must have five trees on the side of my small suburban lot just west of Houston, TX. Due to the lot layout, the trunks are only about 8-10 feet from the house, with the trees abo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Folsom CA Wall-cover April 13, 2012 I live in Folsom, CA and I have an ugly cinder block wall that I want to cover, I want something that is low maintenance and that is going to grow and spread into my grass. The only one i can really t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Screening Shrub for Lubbock TX April 08, 2012 I am a landscape architecture student at Texas Tech University and am looking for a drought tolerant shrub to be used for screening a water well area. The location is the northwest corner of a yard wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hedgerow plants non-toxic to horses April 07, 2012 What would be a good, fast growing, hedgerow plant that is NON-POISONOUS TO HORSES? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy screen in Kansas City, MO April 04, 2012 Hello, I am located in Kansas City, MO and am looking for a wall/screen plant. Last year I used a wall of sunflowers and loved them, however I want something more hardy and something I don't have to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant for privacy hedge in Oklahoma that is not poisonous to dogs April 01, 2012 Hello! I am looking to put a privacy hedge fence in my yard. I love the look of American Holly, however, I have a dog who eats everything so I worry that this will not be a wise choice with the b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen shrub for screening from Austin March 25, 2012 Is there an evergreen, fruit shrub which grows 8 to 10 feet high, having about 6 to 8 hours of sun which could be trimmed to serve as a screen in front of pool equipment on the side of our house? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hedge in Desert Full Sun March 25, 2012 We want a short hedge, 2-3 ft tall, small leaves that fill in to full looking hedge. It is in Phoenix Arizona area and gets full sun all afternoon View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for pool privacy from Peachtree GA March 20, 2012 We currently reside in Georgia and have a pool surrounded by a fence. However, because our house is located on a hill, my neighbor on the left side can very easily still see my backyard and we can see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence March 15, 2012 I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen hedge for NY February 26, 2012 I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Landscaping plans in Kyle TX February 12, 2012 I am starting from scratch in a backyard (approx. 52'x25')in Central Texas (Kyle). The backyard is on the north side of the single story house. I would like to have plants and trees that attract and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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