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
Friday - January 25, 2008
From: San Marcos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Fast-growing evergreen shrub/tree as a screening fence
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Our commercially-zoned property is adjacent to a residential area. The city planning and zoning board has said okay to a vegetation boundary instead of a fence for blocking headlights. The requirements are that it reach at least 6 feet tall and be completely opaque within 2 years and it needs to be 5 feet across. We would like something that is evergreen and fast growing, but not invasive. Something that produces berries or flowers would be nice as well. Do you have any suggestions?ANSWER:
There are a couple of relatively fast-growing evergreens that come to Mr. Smarty Plants' mind first:Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) and Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)
There are several other evergreens that aren't quite as fast-growing, but would also serve your purpose:
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)
More Privacy Screening Questions
Evergreens to replace a screening line of pine trees
December 02, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smartyplants,
I lost a "screening" line of pines along my back property line to powerline trimmers & a blight. The area is quite damp & the soil full of clay which is now acidic from the...
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
Native trees for privacy screen in New Jersey
April 01, 2008 - Looking for a tree (preferably an evergreen) for a privacy hedge in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Would like a very fast growing tree that is deer resistant. Also the privacy hedge will be planted along a...
view the full question and answer
Need native plants for wind block and screening along a fence row in Commerce, TX
June 04, 2011 - I'm looking for a small tree or lg shrub for wind block & screening along a fence row. The soil is black clay with a mostly full sun exposure. Landscaper suggested Elaeagnus but I want a nat...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen hedge for screen in Austin
November 02, 2008 - We are looking for a tall, fast growing, drought tolerant, evergreen hedge to run along our ~200' back property line in West Lake, west of Austin, TX.
This is at the bottom of a slope, and runs th...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |