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
Sunday - May 01, 2011
From: Woodstock, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Hedgerow to block sounds and scenes of traffic
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What would make the best year round hedgerow to block the sight and sounds of traffic 60 feet from my house?ANSWER:
For the best year round hedgerow to block the sights and sound of traffic, I think you would want a dense evergreen. The best native possibilities for McHenry County of Illinois are:
- Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) with varieties that lend themselves to making a thick hedge.
- Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) with varieties that lend themselves to making a thick hedge and here are more varieties of arborvitae.
- Juniperus communis (Common juniper) with varieties that lend themselves to making a thick hedge.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery of the above plants:
More Shrubs Questions
Removal of non-native invasive Ligustrum japonica from Austin
February 14, 2012 - I bought a house that I am slowly turning into a native garden, but as a teacher, I have a really small budget. One entire border of my backyard (30 feet) was planted with evil Ligustrum japonica. I l...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen Hedge for Austin
November 28, 2010 - Hello,
We live in Austin and have a yard that is almost fully shaded. We have a few burford holly bushes there, but would like to add some evergreen interest. We would love a tall hedge (around 8 ft...
view the full question and answer
Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii
August 12, 2015 - I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now ...
view the full question and answer
Fall shrub planting in Illinois
November 22, 2009 - I was given a Holly winterberry - Ilex Verticillata and it is now November. Should I plant it in a pot in the house for the winter or should I plant it outside now? Please give me some planting nstr...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen for privacy screen in San Antonio
April 30, 2012 - I am looking to plant native fast-growing evergreens that will provide privacy (growing taller than our fence). We live in San Antonio and the Red Tip Photinia seems to be everywhere! I heard that t...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
