Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Shade tolerant evergreens for privacy shield in Louisville KY March 10, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Our property is adjacent to the highway for ~ 200ft. I'm looking for partial-to-full shade tolerant evergreens that will grow to be relatively tall. Our soil is clay and g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs for a barrier in Ft. Worth TX February 22, 2014 Hello, I'm looking for a natural barrier as an alternative to a fence in my backyard. I see several other questions answered relating to this but I'm looking for something specifically as a nativ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low-Maintenance Hedge for Massachusetts February 17, 2014 I want to put in a native low-maintenance hedge in a sunny spot with plants that can take dry soil. I would like the plants to grow to less than 4 feet wide. It can be an informal hedge, but I don't ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screen for Canyon Lake, TX February 07, 2014 I need some help. I live near the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake, TX and my backyard faces a busy street. I need a fast growing thick shrub for my backyard for privacy since I cannot afford a fence at... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Natural privacy hedge for Kyle Texas January 06, 2014 I am looking to make a natural privacy screen in the Kyle Texas area. I am being pointed towards Leyland Cypress by some and told to shy away from this tree by others. I found Green Giant Arborvitae a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Thoughts on non-native Italian Cypress in Austin January 01, 2014 I would like to know your thoughts on growing Italian Cypress trees in Austin Texas? We are looking to create a privacy screen(and prepared to pay more for mature trees to cut down the wait to grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oak root resistant hedge for Southern California December 28, 2013 I live in Southern California and my cypress hedge has oak root fungus. What kind of hedge can I plant that will grow fast and be resistant to the fungus? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A Bounty of Edibles for New Braunfels Texas October 25, 2013 I was hoping you could suggest a few plants that would serve several purposes. I live in New Braunfels, TX and would like to incorporate as many drought tolerant plants which would support birds, but... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Thorny plants for a security perimeter in Austin TX October 16, 2013 Hello, I am trying to establish a security perimeter around my property that incorporates thorny or otherwise deterrent shrubs and vines. Can you recommend some attractive native plants that would su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Natural Privacy Planting for New Jersey October 09, 2013 I have a question about privacy plantings in New Jersey (Monmouth County). We have a wooden fence around the perimeter of backyard with some various older trees. We wanted to start anew and wanted to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant, Shaded Privacy Hedge for Wakefield RI September 12, 2013 We recently removed the dead undergrowth of white pines that were used for privacy. We need advice as to what type of evergreen would be suitable for growth beneath the branches above. It is VERY shad... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing trees for privacy in East Texas September 02, 2013 Fast growing tree seeds for my area to create a tree grove for privacy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fence Vines for Austin, TX August 31, 2013 Hi, What are the best high density vine plants for coverage on chain link fence in Austin, TX? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting large Silverado Sage bushes from Mesa AZ August 19, 2013 We just bought a condo with three Silverado Sage, each one is 6-8 ft tall, trained to grow as "trees" with bare branches for the bottom 4 feet or so, and beautiful flowering branches on top. They ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screen shrubs for Butler PA August 09, 2013 Here is what I want in a bush: native to Western Pa.(Southern Butler County), appropriate for a horse pasture,fast growing, not too aggressive (I will mow around it regularly and can prune occasionall... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screen for Sedona AZ August 02, 2013 I live In Sedona Az. A builder just built a house next to my house and the new house is ugly to look at. What plant or tree would grow fast and reach 18 foot in height fast. It can be about 5 to 6 foo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screening shrubs from La Quinta CA July 31, 2013 I need a solid row of screen tree / shrubs that are at least 10 feet (prefer 12) tall and can be kept trimmed to a narrow (6 foot or less?) width. Will be planted against a 6' cement wall facing west... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing tree for privacy in Berkeley, CA July 30, 2013 Help. I need fast growing tree for backyard privacy. Where in Berkeley is there a tree nursery to Buy Pittosporum trees? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub to scrren house from dust from gravel road July 28, 2013 HI: We live in the foothills of Dobbins, California (2 hours North of Sacramento, Ca). I live on a gravel dirt road with traffic that goes about 45 miles an hour. When they drive by our house it lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy hedge for Palm Springs CA July 04, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants I have a 6 foot block wall, and my house is elevated, and I need a privacy hedge or tree (even flowering) to create more privacy. I do not want to use Ficus as I hear they can d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hankering for a view-blocking hedge in Hempstead, TX. July 03, 2013 Hempstead is 50 miles west of Houston and I am looking for a fast growing native to provide a block of a view for a fairly large area (about half a block). I would prefer something that is also benef... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What grows in Tampa FL July 01, 2013 Please let me know what grows in the backyard in Tampa, FL to provide screening and privacy? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tall native grasses for privacy in Central Texas June 29, 2013 Hi- I am looking for a grass that will grow tall and be thick for privacy. I live here in Austin east of 35. Obviously something draught tolerant would be great! Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Screening of House Next Door in NC June 26, 2013 Hello, I live in the house my parents bought in 1971 in Winston-Salem, NC. The house beside me is an eyesore and for sale at a very low price. I am afraid the condition of the house and yard next door... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can Monterrey Oak be topped into a bush from Austin TX June 16, 2013 I received a suggestion to use Monterey oak as privacy hedge by topping the small tree and letting it bush. I can't find any pictures or info on this being done though. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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