Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 05, 2009

From: Port St Lucie, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Plant barrier to block view and noise of Florida Turnpike
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Port St Lucie FL and my development backs to Florida turnpike. We want to plant to block noise and view. Any suggestions? thank you

ANSWER:

The Florida Native Plant Society has an excellent site that has native plant recommendations for the different regions of your state.  Here is the link to Natives to Grow in St. Lucie County. To read more about the plants on the list, you can search for the plants recommended on this Florida Native Plant Society list in our Native Plant Database.  I have looked through their recommendations for shrubs and picked out a few for you.  You can read about the growing conditions for these shrubs and choose one that meets the conditions of your site.

Ardisia escallonoides (island marlberry) and photos and more information

Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)

Forestiera segregata (Florida swampprivet) and photos and more information

Ilex glabra (inkberry)

Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire)

Morella cerifera [syn. = Myrica cerifera] (wax myrtle)

Psychotria nervosa (Seminole balsamo) and photos and more information

Rhus copallinum (winged sumac)

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (common elderberry)


Callicarpa americana

Ilex glabra

Itea virginica

Morella cerifera

Rhus copallinum

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

 

 

 

More Trees Questions

Flying insects eating leaves of non-native Brugmansia in Aline CA
October 17, 2013 - I have an Angel Trumpet tree. We live in Aline, California 30 miles east of San Diego. Little yellow and black flying bugs eat the leaves. Do you have a remedy for this problem.
view the full question and answer

Dying leaves on Autumn Blaze Maple tree in Littleton, CO
May 25, 2012 - I have an autumn blaze maple where for the last two years the left side of the tree turns light green, then brown, and leaves die. The right side is dark green, normal. Is this a water over/under pr...
view the full question and answer

Is Lemon Cypress toxic?
August 15, 2012 - Is the Lemon Cypress toxic?
view the full question and answer

Ground cover under trees from Austin
November 03, 2012 - I need ground cover plants that can tolerate leaf litter and grow under oak tree shade.
view the full question and answer

Live Oak Suckers
March 21, 2011 - Hello, my neighbor cleared away their St. Augustine grass for mulch and plantings. Under a huge, beautiful Live Oak tree they placed a wide bed of medium gravel, almost out to the drip line. It look...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.