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
Tuesday - May 08, 2012
From: SACRAMENTO, CA
Region: California
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Evergreen screening plant for California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for an evergreen plant that can be used as a screen. Maybe something wispy. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
I'm not sure how wispy you consider any of the following suggestions, but they are evergreen and will do well in Central California.
You might consider the manzanitas. There are several species of Arctostaphylos sp. (manzanitas) that will do well in Central California with little water. A couple of possibilities are Arctostaphylos glauca (Bigberry manzanita) and Arctostaphylos glandulosa (Eastwood's manzanita).
Cercocarpus montanus (Alderleaf mountain mahogany) is another evergreen shrub that should do well.
Morella californica (California wax myrtle) is evergreen and good as a hedge. Here are photos and more information.
Baccharis pilularis (Coyotebrush) and here are more photos and information.
Ceanothus leucodermis (Chaparral whitethorn) and there are more species of Ceanothus that are evergreen and grow in Central California.
Frangula californica (California buckthorn) and here are photos and more informatiion.
Malacothamnus fasciculatus (Mendocino bushmallow) and here are photos and more information.
Below are photographs of some of the species that appear in our database.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Drought tolerant privacy plants for Flagstaff AZ
March 19, 2013 - We need a fast growing drought tolerant tree that will grow in Flagstaff AZ/Parks AZ. Neighbors are hoarders and we want privacy fence to cover the mess. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
view the full question and answer
Evergreen hedge for NY
February 26, 2012 - I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, Shaded Privacy Hedge for Wakefield RI
September 12, 2013 - We recently removed the dead undergrowth of white pines that were used for privacy. We need advice as to what type of evergreen would be suitable for growth beneath the branches above. It is VERY shad...
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
Pfluegerville Screening Hedge
May 25, 2014 - We live just north of Austin in a subdivision built on farm land so we have relatively flat land with good soil. We just put in a pool and are needing a privacy hedge along our 66 ft back fence. We ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |