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
Monday - June 16, 2008
From: Frisco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Screening plant for pool
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
i am building a pool i have a neighbor whom im trying to shield out of seeing us. i would like to plant an evergreen tree the pool will be used year round. i need an evergreen that wont have an over taking root system.i have about 3 feet to work with. can you help?ANSWER:
Here are several native shrubs/small trees that are evergreen:Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) There are dwarf varieties of these, so be sure you are getting a full size one.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
The following can be a large tree, but can be kept pruned into a shrub-sized evergreen: Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)
This next one is not really a shrub or tree, but is evergreen and grows to 10 feet and could be a very effective screen in your small area: Sabal minor (dwarf palmetto)
Finally, if you have a fence around your pool, you might consider planting Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) along it. It is evergreen, has beautiful red blossoms that attract hummingbirds and would soon cover your fence and be an excellent screen.
More Privacy Screening Questions
May 01, 2015 - Greetings!
I am hoping to gain privacy on a 30' swath with existing 6' privacy fence, I need about 14' of height to hide unsightly apartments. Location is full sun without a nearby spigot, I can ...
view the full question and answer
Trees for privacy screen
August 08, 2012 - Hello, We'd like to plant a privacy screen to hide our view of an adjacent apartment complex. Ideally the trees or other plantings might be a native species, and preferably they would eventually rea...
view the full question and answer
Plants for privacy screen in Edgewood TX
September 10, 2009 - Can you recommend a large fast growing tree, shrub, etc. that can give me some privacy from my neighbor across the street that likes to use his binoculars? I live in East Texas on about 10 acres.
view the full question and answer
Shrubs for a screen in DC
May 05, 2011 - Live in Washington DC vicinity (zones: 7-8). Looking for hardy shrubs to screen a 47 foot long picket fence and provide barrier to neighbor. It is western exposure with sun light. Ideally evergreen, d...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting large Silverado Sage bushes from Mesa AZ
August 19, 2013 - We just bought a condo with three Silverado Sage, each one is 6-8 ft tall, trained to grow as "trees" with bare branches for the bottom 4 feet or so, and beautiful flowering branches on top. They ar...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |