Native Plants
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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.
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Sunday - September 14, 2008
From: Cary, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Evergreen trees for screen in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Recently moved into a new "cluster" development where homes are very close together. Need to plant bushes / trees for privacy and would like fast growing ones that are good in the south. Attempted to plant a long row of Leland Cypress only to see them all die. Have 2 magnolias, but don't seem like that will do what we want them to in a short period of time. What can you recommend. Will most likely need a minimum of 15 - so it needs to look great. Of course we were hoping to recapture some the North by planting fast growing evergreens. Thank you. Patti in Cary, NCANSWER:
Here are a couple of native North Carolina trees that might be just what you are looking for—both are conical-shaped evergreens with thick foliage that can be pruned and shaped into a privacy hedge:Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar), with information about different cultivars/varieties from the University of Connecticut and more information from North Carolina State University.
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae), with information about different cultivars/varieties from the University of Connecticut and more information from Ohio State University.
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