Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - August 02, 2014

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Evergreen sumacs for privacy along fence
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like to plant enough Evergreen Sumacs along our fence for privacy for the length of our backyard which is 60 ft. Fifteen feet on the left and right ends are shaded with the right side being densely shaded. The thirty feet in the middle gets direct sun all day. Is Evergreen Sumac a good choice considering the difference in lighting? If not, do you have any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Rhus virens (Evergreen sumac) will grow well in full sun and partial shade.   In the densest shade, they will be more open and tree-like.  They can be pruned to shape but they won't likely be as dense as the ones that grow in full sun.  In full sun they will grow denser and more shrub-like.  Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Another possibility is Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) that does well in sun, part shade and shade and can be shaped into a dense hedge.  Here are instructions on How to Plant a Juniperus Virginiana Hedge.  You can see some of the varieties that are more shrub-like from Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension.

 

From the Image Gallery


Evergreen sumac
Rhus virens

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana

More Trees Questions

Swarming insects on non-native willow in Washington PA
September 25, 2011 - I have had a very large, beautiful pillow willow bush/tree growing next to our garage for about 8 years. Last year at the end of August, it began to attract white-faced hornets and yellow jackets by t...
view the full question and answer

Yellowing leaves on young bur oak
August 06, 2007 - I saw your response on 7/25 about leaves on mature live oaks turning yellow, then brown because of excessive rain. The same thing is happening to our young burr oak. Leaves are turning yellowish, th...
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer

Transplanting non-native crape myrtle in Scottsdale AZ
May 11, 2014 - When is the best time to transplant dwarf crape myrtle in Scottsdale AZ?
view the full question and answer

Cupressus arizonica with central leader cut in Sedona, AZ
February 11, 2009 - Will a healthy Cupressus arizonica continue to grow in its native habitat, in Arizona, once the central leader has been cut?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.