Native Plants

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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Thursday - August 21, 2014
From: Morrisville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Looking for a Privacy Barrier Plant for NC
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I am trying to determine the best plant for a privacy barrier for my area in NC that has clay soil. I have a 6 foot high fence but need something 12 feet or taller. It has to be something that does not grow out but will grow up due to a small backyard.ANSWER:
The first place to go to find a list of potential trees or shrubs for your privacy barrier 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: State - NC, Habit – Tree, Duration – Perennial, Light Requirement – Sun, Soil Moisture – Moist, Leaf Retention – Evergreen (for winter privacy) and Size – 6-36 feet. Once you have this list of trees, then it you can also do this same search for Shrubs. After this it is time to further refine your criteria and look at their shape and form since you are looking for a narrow, upright form.
The best trees and shrubs to consider from this search are:
Trees
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) Select plants that have a single trunk that will grow into a small tree. Female plants produce large amounts of bright red, persistent berries. You must have both male and female trees to have good fruiting. The leaves are dark green and small. Can be trimmed into a tall hedge. Berries are poisonous and produce a low toxicity if eaten by humans. Tolerant of clay soil.
Prunus caroliniana (cherry laurel) A dense shrub or small tree to 20 feet. Leaves are smooth and evergreen. Flowers are white in early spring. Fruit is fleshy and black persisting into winter. A good, dark green visual screen or large hedge plan for the Southeast.
Shrubs
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) A multi-trunk, evergreen shrub that can reach 20 feet in height. Light olive-green foliage with a spicy fragrance. Pale blue berries occur on female plants in the winter. Excellent screen plant. Must have both male and female plants to have reliable berries.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Privacy screen in Idaho
February 15, 2010 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I need to add privacy to a chain link fence. The fence is shaded by large trees.They add shade from up high but little privacy at fence level.What would you recommend I plant...
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Hedge options for Sag Harbor, New York.
October 11, 2010 - Hello,
My fiance and I live in Sag Harbor, NY on the East End of Long Island. We would like to plant a hedge across our yard to separate the front and back and have privacy.
Here is a picture o...
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Screen plants to replace non-native Chinese raintrees in Marble Falls, TX
February 15, 2010 - Five four year old Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese Rain) trees were mistakenly cut to the ground. They were planted fairly close together, perhaps ten feet apart. The purpose for them was to provide a...
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Fast Growing Shrub for Oceanside New York Site
April 17, 2015 - Can you recommend a tall, fast-growing shrub for a sandy location (near an ocean beach in New York) in full sun? I’m looking for a privacy shield.
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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!
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