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

Tuesday - April 28, 2009
From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Deer resistant privacy fence for shade in Hill Country
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am looking for a shrub to plant along a privacy fence that gets 8+ feet tall, fast growing, preferably native, deer resistant, and can tolerate mostly shade. I reside in the Hill Country area. Thanks for your advice.ANSWER:
The shrub that fits all your requirements doesn't exist, sorry. We can come close with several shrubs, but before you commit a lot of money and effort to planting, make sure you know if the plants you choose will be able to survive. To begin with deer resistance, deer will eat almost anything if their natural forage has been reduced due to drought or disturbance of the area by urbanization. They are said to dislike aromatic plants, and avoid thorny plants, but not all of those are suitable for your area. The second problem is the shade. We are assuming that this shade is from trees in the area along your property line. All shrubs are going to need some sun. If they are identified as being for "part shade" that means they need 2 to 6 hours of sun daily. You need to be aware, also, that many trees exhibit allelopathic qualities, in which they exude substances that serve to discourage competition beneath them. And, finally, are you going to be able to water the plants when they are newly planted, and for several months, especially if our Central Texas drought continues? Any plant needs extra water and attention when it has just been put into the ground. We will, of course, recommend only shrubs native to Central Texas, which are best suited in terms of climate, rainfall and soils. If you still feel your privacy shield will be able to thrive in the conditions you can provide it, here are some suggested shrubs. You can follow the plant links to the individual page on each plant to see what other requirements that plant has. We will do our search in our Deer Resistant Species database, in hopes that will come closer to what you need.
Shrubs for privacy shield in Central Texas
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) - evergreen, 3 to 5 ft., blooms yellow March to September, deer resistance high
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) - evergreen, 3 to 6 ft., blooms white, pink, violet January to December, sun, part shade, deer resistance high
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) - evergreen, 3 to 6 ft., blooms yellow February to April, deer resistance high
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) - deciduous, 6 to 12 ft., blooms yellow April to June, deer resistance high
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Salt tolerant plants for shade on tidal inlet in NY
August 11, 2013 - Are there any salt water tolerant grasses or forbs with deep roots that grow in shade? I live on a tidal inlet/canal on Long Island NY. The southern bank has cedars and oaks but the soil is eroding ...
view the full question and answer
Flowering shrub for part shade in Southern California
September 10, 2009 - What shrubs would be able to flourish in morning shade but deal with afternoon sun and 90 plus degrees in the summer months in Southern California? I would like a shrub that is about 5 ft. tall and 3 ...
view the full question and answer
Large shrub for screen in shade
June 11, 2008 - I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and cr...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for sun/part shade in Austin
May 07, 2008 - I live in Southwest Austin and I have a small backyard that has part sun/part shade. I have no grass in the backyard and my soil is not the healthiest, so I would like to plant some groundcover versus...
view the full question and answer
Texas native shade plants for metal troughs in Austin
December 22, 2012 - Interested in finding Texas natives that would do well in metal troughs in the shade.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |