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?

Share

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

Wednesday - July 06, 2016

From: Koloa, HI
Region: Hawaii
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for Privacy Fence in Hawaii
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

I live in Hawaii and need to create some privacy along a wall of my house. The septic drain field is 5' away and I am looking for 6'-8' shrubs that have shallow roots. Would something like cordyline fruticosa, crotons or areca palms work? Anything you suggest? Planters?

ANSWER:

Greetings and sorry for the delay in replying to your question. There are three native shrubs in our Native Plant Database for Hawaii that perhaps might fit your requirements for a privacy hedge. The plants you mentioned (Crodyline fruticosa, crotons and areca palms) are not natives and so they aren't in our www.wildflower.org database.

The three that we can suggest you investigate are:

Mexican primrose willow (Ludwigia octovalvis)

Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) (May require pruning to keep it at the desired height)

Florida hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa)

Planters certainly will solve the issue of plant roots invading the septic bed. Go for it!

 

From the Image Gallery


Mexican primrose-willow
Ludwigia octovalvis

Mexican primrose-willow
Ludwigia octovalvis

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera

Florida hopbush
Dodonaea viscosa

Florida hopbush
Dodonaea viscosa

More Privacy Screening Questions

Privacy hedge, thick, fast-growing in Georgetown TX
August 31, 2010 - I want to plant a privacy hedge in Austin Texas Edwards escarpment so it's rocky soil. Looking for something thick, fast growing and can be kept to 7'. It's along a wrought iron fence and ranges fr...
view the full question and answer

Plants for pool privacy from Peachtree GA
March 20, 2012 - We currently reside in Georgia and have a pool surrounded by a fence. However, because our house is located on a hill, my neighbor on the left side can very easily still see my backyard and we can see...
view the full question and answer

Privacy screen in Kansas City, MO
April 04, 2012 - Hello, I am located in Kansas City, MO and am looking for a wall/screen plant. Last year I used a wall of sunflowers and loved them, however I want something more hardy and something I don't have to ...
view the full question and answer

Replacement for Amber Jubilee Ninebark in California
November 22, 2014 - AMBER JUBILEE bush separating my neighbor and me, is spreading its roots into our water pipes. Want to rip out. What plants are root friendly and also give you privacy?
view the full question and answer

Non-Toxic Hedge for Wisconsin
December 17, 2015 - What would be a good non-toxic for dogs, privacy hedge about 3-6 feet tall for Wisconsin climate zone 4b?
view the full question and answer

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