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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Thursday - July 03, 2014
From: Bethesda, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Privacy Hedge for Maryland Porch
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I am working on a screen/fence, which is a barrier hedge between our house and our next door neighbor's house to add privacy to our screen porch and dining area, especially in winter. The fence would be 6 feet tall and needs to be dense. It runs east-west and is partially under sun and good soil. Any info on what plants would be a good choice would be appreciated.ANSWER:
The first place to go to find a list of potential shrubs for your privacy hedge is our Native Plant Database. Use the Combination Search feature instead of Recommended Species. This will provide a bigger selection with much more choice to narrow down. The volunteers and staff at the Wildflower Center who maintain the database have partners in different regions to help with these recommended species lists based on what is easy to access in local nurseries.
Under Combination Search, select the following categories: MD, Habit – shrub, Duration – Perennial, Light Requirement – Part Shade, Soil Moisture – Moist & Dry, Leaf Retention – Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen and Size – 6-12 feet.
A few good shrubs were the result of this search criteria. If you would like more choices, expand your search criteria to include deciduous shrubs. Here are the evergreen or semi-evergreen choices:
Inkberry (Ilex glabra), 6-12 feet tall, glossy leathery foliage year round, small white flowers that produce black berries into winter. No spines on the leaves. May have male and female flowers on separate plants. Tolerates heavy pruning. Good hedge plant. Seeds are toxic if ingested – watch if there are children around. Attracts birds.
Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), to 20 feet tall, multi-trunk, evergreen shrub, olive-green foliage with a spicy smell, excellent screen plant, male and female flowers on separate plants, drought and flood tolerant, will defoliate at 0 degrees F. and releaf in the spring, tolerant of saline conditions. Can be pruned informally into an informal screen. Attracts birds.
Canada yew (Taxus canadensis), 3-6 ft tall and 6 ft wide evergreen shrub with dark green glossy needles, bright red fruit.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Privacy screen for New York apartment balcony.
August 17, 2009 - Hello,
I live in an apartment in New York City with an outdoor large balcony. I would like to buy evergreens to make the space more private. Do you have any suggestions on what type of plant woul...
view the full question and answer
Privacy screen for pool in Round Rock, TX
February 09, 2009 - We have a pool in our backyard and neighbors quite close on both sides. There is only a cedar fence between yards and we are desperate for some privacy! We are looking for a fast grower that will gr...
view the full question and 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 the full question and 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 the full question and 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 the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |