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

rate this answer

Thursday - March 24, 2016
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Privacy Screening, Shade Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: mixed species privacy hedge in Central Texas
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I need to plant a privacy hedge along a fence line. I am in east Austin, blackland prairie soil. The soil is rich, usually at least moist but not soggy, and I find lots of worms when I dig. The fence is shaded for most of the day. I want a mix of species rather than a monoculture, the more diversity the better. I'd like some of them to be evergreens and tall (for the privacy part). I especially want plants that can help the wildlife and/or provide food and medicinals. Natives are best because I don't plan to do much maintenance. Can you recommend some species that would grow well together in the shade? Thanks!ANSWER:
Most of the tall, evergreen plants suitable for your area are relatively slow growing. Probably the best choices include Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon ), Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle ), Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) and Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar).
For smaller species I suggest that you visit our Native Plant Database page and, a bit down the page on the left side click on Combination Search. Fill in the information that fits your requirements and you will get a list of suitable species to consider. I particularly recommend Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's cap or turkscap) and Mahonia trifoliolata (Agarita), shade-tolerant species that grow especially well in Austin.
Most of the plants you choose should be available at one of the local plant nurseries. Google on Native Plant Nurseries - Austin, TX.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Privacy Trees for Pleasanton, CA
April 30, 2014 - I was looking for some fast growing trees for my backyard that backs up to Valley Ave in Pleasanton, Ca. The city just cut down 4 Redwoods behind me and there is so much noise from the traffic now
Ca...
view the full question and answer
Privacy Tree for Austin, TX
February 10, 2013 - Can you recommend a tall privacy plant similar to the Thuya Green Giant that is suitable to the Austin environment?
view the full question and answer
Barrier Planting in Boston
January 29, 2013 - I live in the Boston area and a school is being built right behind my property. The school kindly left me a 100' barrier that includes some 40' high pines, a couple of tall oaks and some spindly po...
view the full question and answer
Screening Shrub for Lubbock TX
April 08, 2012 - I am a landscape architecture student at Texas Tech University and am looking for a drought tolerant shrub to be used for screening a water well area. The location is the northwest corner of a yard wi...
view the full question and answer
Need small, fast growing trees for privacy screen in Buda, TX.
February 01, 2013 - Please recommend some small, but fast growing, flowering trees to plant along a western fence for privacy
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |