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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Friday - June 04, 2010
From: Angola, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Fast-growing screen for New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need a fast growing screen to put along my fence due to undesirable neighbors who moved next door to my summer place. Small lot: 25'x25' . The side is south and the lot is partially shade w sandy soil. I wanted bamboo but cannot find it. Thank you. P.S. I love your siteANSWER:
First of all, thank you for your kind words. Our focus and expertise are in plants native to North America. There are three species of bamboo native to North America and two of those are native to New York:
- Arundinaria gigantea (Giant cane) is native in its entire range according to the USDA Plants Database. Here is a fact sheet from the USDA.
- Arundinaria tecta (Switchcane) was at one time classified as a subspecies of A gigantea. Here is a fact sheet for this species. The USDA Plants Database distribution map indicates that this species is both native and introduced over its range.
There is another North American native species of bamboo, Arundinaria appalachiana (Hill cane), that occurs in Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, but is not shown as occurring in New York.
You may already be aware that bamboos can be invasive since they spread quickly by rhizomes (underground stems). The article on ehow.com, How to Get Rid of Bamboo, gives you a pretty good idea why you might not want to use bamboo. However, if you do decide to use it, you certainly should install a barrier to keep it from spreading out of control. You can visit our National Suppliers Directory to look for nurseries in your area that specialize in native plants to look for a source for this native bamboo.
As an alternative to the native bamboo, my first thought was that you would want an evergreen shrub or tree for your screen. There aren't but a few native to your area (in or adjacent to Erie County) that show rapid growth. In fact, Pinus strobus (eastern white pine), is the only evergreen one I found identified as having rapid growth. Of course, its maximum height is more than 100 feet so that might not be something you want. Two other evergreens of a more moderate size and moderate growth rate are Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) and Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel).
Since this is your summer place, you might be happy to have a rapidly growing deciduous species to act as a screen and intersperse it with evergreens. Here are some possibilities for deciduous small trees/shrubs:
Cornus alternifolia (alternateleaf dogwood) and here's more information.
Corylus americana (American hazelnut) is fast growing and here is more information.
Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush) and here is more information.
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark) is fast growing and here is more information.
Rhus copallinum (winged sumac) is fast growing and here is more information.
Salix bebbiana (Bebb willow) is fast growing and here is more information.
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (common elderberry) is fast growing and here is more information.
Staphylea trifolia (American bladdernut) is fast growing and here is more information.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Tall trees for privacy screen in St. Augustine FL
March 24, 2013 - Please let me know what kind of evergreen tall trees I can plant for privacy in my back yard in the st. Augustine, Florida area. Thanks for your assistance.
view the full question and answer
Privacy screen for Sedona AZ
August 02, 2013 - I live In Sedona Az. A builder just built a house next to my house and the new house is ugly to look at. What plant or tree would grow fast and reach 18 foot in height fast. It can be about 5 to 6 foo...
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
Native evergreen vine for St. Paul MN
June 17, 2010 - I am looking for a native vine that will stay green, or at least keep its leaves, throughout the winter. The vine will be grown on a trellis between our house and our neighbor's, and we want to keep...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen screen for newly constructed metal building
March 31, 2010 - Neighbor built a 12' tall metal building right by my gate. I want to screen it with fast-growing evergreen natives. I have lots of ashe juniper on my property, but none where I need it now! Can AJ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |