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.

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?

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

2 ratings

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.