Native Plants
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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.
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Friday - September 18, 2015
From: Beecave, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Septic Systems
Title: Are 'Ice Blue' Arizona Cypress and Desert Willow safe near a septic system?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I want to plant a screen to hide driveway/cars on our property line that is close to the septic tank(not septic field) and the septic line running from the house. Would it be safe to plant a Ice Blue Arizona Cypress 5' from the fence and 8' from the septic tank? It would be on a slope and in rocky limestone soil. I have already planted desert willow(Chilopsis Linearis) about 3-4' away from the tank and line before realizing that it may not be wise. I have no trees growing near the new septic field. Do I need to move the desert willow? New house and a first time septic system owner.ANSWER:
Privacy is a wonderful thing. A septic system problem is less wonderful.
Arizona Cypress makes a very nice large screen plant. Unfortunately, Arizona Cypress (Hesperocyparis arizonica) and all of its cultivars are poor choices for use near septic systems. Likewise, Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is also very prone to invading septic lines and should be moved.
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Evergreen shrub with dense base for screen in Austin
November 11, 2010 - I just bought a house in Austin and am looking for an evergreen shrub to use as a thick hedge between my elevated yard and a bus stop. The only shrubs I can come up with tend to get thin toward the b...
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Privacy Screen options for Seymour CT
June 03, 2011 - Hi Mr. Smarty Pants:
Looking for a quick growing privacy hedge for a home in Seymour CT.
Thank you very much, I appreciate your help.
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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.
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