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

rate this answer

Saturday - June 09, 2007
From: Buda, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Fast growing, tall evergreens for privacy in Buda, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need to plant fast growing tall evergreens along a western 6 ft privacy fence. The function is privacy, and sound deadening. Our western privacy fence is along a 2 way noisy highway. Please advise as to which trees would do well in Buda Texas. Thanks.ANSWER:
Here are suggestions for native evergreens that should do well as a privacy hedge. The first three are fast growing:Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas cenizo) makes an excellent hedge and produces beautiful pink/purple blossoms year round in response to rain.
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) has leaves that produce a pleasant scent when crushed. Its berries attract birds and other wildlife.
Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) is not a true evergreen since it loses its leaves in the spring, but it replaces them immediately. It also has berries used by wildlife.
These next ones are slower growing but otherwise meet your criteria.
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) has striking red berries that attract wildlife.
Sophora secundiflora (mountain laurel) is not fast growing, but has beautiful, sweet smelling flowers and would florm a dense barrier.
Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri (Lindheimer's silktassel) is an interesting evergreen shrub, but may be hard to find in nurseries.
Finally, one other suggestion for a fast-growing, dense fence would be the much-maligned Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper or cedar) tree. Its advantages are that it is fast growing and can form a dense cover. Its disadvantages are that its pollen causes allergies (cedar fever) and it is considered invasive. If you plant all female trees, you shouldn't have a concern about the pollen. It is considered invasive because it tends to take over pastures forming dense thickets, but used as hedge in your yard you could control its spread.
More Privacy Screening Questions
Plants for Liberty Hill TX in full sun
April 15, 2008 - We recently bought an acre of land in Liberty Hill, TX. We have a large planting area in the front that is devoid of any plant life. I would like to turn this into a semi shaded area with some annua...
view the full question and answer
Water-Wise Privacy Hedge for California
February 22, 2016 - I would like recommendations for a privacy hedge that would grow at least 12 feet tall with non-invasive roots and hopefully water-wise in Los Angeles.
view the full question and answer
Plants to hide utility boxes
July 16, 2008 - What are suggestions for plants to plant around utilities boxes (3 of them clustered together) to effectively camouflage them but be attractive. We will outline a larger area in brick, plant evergree...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrub for screening from Austin
March 25, 2012 - Is there an evergreen, fruit shrub which grows 8 to 10 feet high, having about 6 to 8 hours of sun which could be trimmed to serve as a screen in front of pool equipment on the side of our house?
view the full question and answer
Screen plant for Austin
March 30, 2009 - I live in Austin Texas and am looking for a small tree or large shrub that will obscure the view from my kitchen window into my neighbors. I am looking for an evergreen plant that gets no wider than ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |