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 - November 24, 2009
From: Oceanside, CA
Region: California
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Privacy screen for pool in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, We have new neighbors overlooking our pool and peering into our house. We want to put up a privacy screen along our back fence that runs the length of the pool, but the border running along the pool is only 2 feet wide. Is there something we can plant that will grow tall but won't be invasive to our pool? The planting area is about 2-3 feet from our pool. We were thinking of a trumpet vine. Is that invasive and do you have any other suggestions? Are there any tree-like privacy screens that aren't invasive? (I do not like junipers) Thank you very much!ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants wouldn't recommend Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) since it isn't native to Southern California. There are records of it from Northern California, but not in your area. There are other vines native native to your area, but few are evergreen—I am assuming you want something evergreen. There are, however, evergreen trees/shrubs that aren't junipers. Shrubs/trees have the disadvantage of being wider than your 2 foot area, but most can be pruned to fit the space available. Here are some recommendations:
EVERGREEN TREES/SHRUBS:
Arctostaphylos densiflora (vine hill manzanita) is evergreen. Here are more photos.
Cercocarpus montanus (alderleaf mountain mahogany) is semi-evergreen.
Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (Catalina ironwood) evergreen and here are photos.
Prunus ilicifolia (hollyleaf cherry) is evergreen and here are photos. This one makes a good narrow pruned screen.
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon) is evergreen.
Garrya elliptica (wavyleaf silktassel) is evergreen and here are photos and more information.
Malosma laurina (laurel sumac) is evergreen and here are photos.
Morella californica (California wax myrtle) is evergreen and here are photos.
Dendromecon harfordii (Harford's tree poppy) is evergreen and here are more photos and information.
Malacothamnus fasciculatus (Mendocino bushmallow) is evergreen and here are photos and more information.
Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) is semi-evergreen.
VINES:
Calystegia macrostegia (California morning glory) should remain evergreen with adequate summer water.
Clematis lasiantha (pipestem clematis) is deciduous.
Clematis ligusticifolia (western white clematis) is deciduous.
Keckiella cordifolia (heartleaf keckiella) should be evergreen in San Diego County. Here are photos.
Lonicera hispidula (pink honeysuckle) is deciduous. Here are more photos and information.
Vitis californica (California wild grape) is deciduous. Here are photos and information about Roger's Red cultivar.
Here are a few photos from our Image Gallery:
More Privacy Screening Questions
Screening plant for pool in Cleburne, Texas
March 15, 2009 - I recently put in a very large pool. I need to plant something for fast growing, taller than an 6 ft fence for privacy. The property isn't so appealing behind my pool. When standing on my deck, I ...
view the full question and answer
Thoughts on non-native Italian Cypress in Austin
January 01, 2014 - I would like to know your thoughts on growing Italian Cypress trees in Austin Texas?
We are looking to create a privacy screen(and prepared to pay more for mature trees to cut down the wait to grow...
view the full question and answer
Impenetrable privacy hedge in Wimberly, TX.
July 26, 2011 - I live near Wimberly, TX. I'd like to grow an impenetrable privacy hedge about 200' long and at least 10' tall and 10' deep (or more) using native plants. I'd like it to be evergreen, drought t...
view the full question and answer
Redwood as a Screening Tree for Santa Cruz Garden?
January 20, 2015 - I have a small yard in Santa Cruz, CA and we have to hide/distract from a power line. My husband is demanding a redwood. Is this sane? The space it will have to grow in is about 20x20. What species of...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen privacy screen 8 feet or less
January 29, 2016 - In needing to plant an evergreen privacy screen, what is the tallest Ceniza variety? I'm having great difficulty finding an evergreen hedge material 8' or less.
After having taken a class in pla...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |