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
Wednesday - April 23, 2008
From: EXETER, CA
Region: California
Topic: Best of Smarty, Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Plants to keep children out of yard
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I WANT TO PLANT SOMETHING ALONG A FENCE LINE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF OUR YARD. NEEDS TO GROW FAST BUT NOT POISONOUSANSWER:
There are plants that would serve that purpose. They would all take time to grow and be expensive to purchase. Have you considered just putting in a fence? The cost might be more initially, but when you factor in watering and other care for the plants, it would probably even out. Also, what about when you sell your house? No family with children is going to want to buy a house with a child-unfriendly hedge around the yard. You live in a beautiful agricultural area, and Exeter sounds like a charming small town. Somehow, we just can't bring ourselves to recommend our wonderful native plants as a barrier. Perhaps you should contact the University of Calfornia at Davis Tulare County Extension Office for more local advice on a solution to your problem.
More Shrubs Questions
Plants for hanging flower boxes from Austin
July 27, 2013 - I have two long flower boxes 17" x 15" x 25 feet long one on the north side of the apt and one on the south made of metal suspended about four feet from the ground. One will get the morning sun and ...
view the full question and answer
Container plants for part shade in Bee Cave TX
June 18, 2013 - Dear Mr Smarty Pants,
I am looking for plants that will thrive on my covered porch in 3 tall planters. These are meant to help me block an unattractive view out my living room window, so they must...
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming climbing rose in Conroe, TX
October 09, 2009 - I have a climbing rose and it has never bloomed and has no thorns, it was a cutting from another rose bush. I have given it water and fertilize and have mulch around it also.
view the full question and answer
Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii
August 12, 2015 - I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now ...
view the full question and answer
Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars
January 16, 2012 - Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |