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 - May 01, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Evergreen shrubs for screen
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'd like your recommendation for an evergreen shrub (flowers would be a nice bonus but not as necessary as the evergreen factor) or small tree with a height hopefully under 12' and a width hopefully less than 3' or 4'. This is to help with the view out our living room windows which look out at our neighbors red brick. The shrubs or small trees would be planted on the northern exposure side of the house. There is some sunlight when the sun is high up, but not direct - there are no other trees on that side providing any shade. I'm thinking a yew, evergreen sumac, nandina, dwarf wax myrtle or some type of virburnum. Thanks for the help!ANSWER:
Here are some evergreen native shrubs/small trees that should do well in partial shade and have attractive flowers and/or berries.Rhus virens (evergreen sumac)—flowers and berries
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)—great flowers
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon)—small flowers, but beautiful red berries
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas cenizo)—great purple flowers that bloom after rains at various times of year
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)—berries for birds
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)—flowers and berries
As far as I know, there are no Viburnum species native to Texas that are evergreen.
There are no yew trees native to Texas.
Please don't use Nandina domestica—it is not native and is listed on the TexasInvasives.org web site.
More Privacy Screening Questions
Shrubs for privacy in wet area in Ohio
July 13, 2011 - I am looking for flowering shrubs for Ohio that reach 8-10 feet and can handle wet feet. I am trying to avoid building a wall for privacy and would like to use flowering shrubs instead.
view the full question and answer
Trees and shrubs in Wisconsin
July 30, 2009 - I live in Hudson, WI, just across the border from Minn/St Paul and would like to create a privacy screen between my front yard and my neighbors yard. Right now it's full sun, but I want to plant a c...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen tree for privacy screen
May 01, 2009 - I live out in the hill country in Volente, TX. I'm looking for a fast growing, native evergreen tree variety that would make a good privacy screen. I don't want a hedge, but I do want to replace 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
Low-Maintenance Hedge for Massachusetts
February 17, 2014 - I want to put in a native low-maintenance hedge in a sunny spot with plants that can take dry soil. I would like the plants to grow to less than 4 feet wide. It can be an informal hedge, but I don't ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |