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?

Share

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

Sunday - March 24, 2013

From: Atlanta, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Privacy Screening, Trees
Title: Tall trees for privacy screen in St. Augustine FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

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.

ANSWER:

To answer your question, we will go to our Native Plant Database and, on the Combination Search near the middle of that page, we will search on Florida for the state and "tree" for Habit. Since you told us only that you wanted tall evergreen trees we will select on "evergreen" under Duration and 36 to 72 ft. for ultimate height. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center only recommends plants native not only to North America (excluding Mexico) but to the area in which those plants grow naturally. All the trees on our list for you are native in or near St. Johns County on the northeast Florida coast. Bear in mind that it will be many years before these trees attain their mature height, and you should be aware of the extent of their root systems before you plant them near foundations, sidewalks and other hardscape.

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar)

Ilex opaca (American holly)

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar)

Persea borbonia (Redbay)

Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak)

Sabal palmetto (Cabbage palmetto)

 

From the Image Gallery


Atlantic white cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides

American holly
Ilex opaca

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Redbay
Persea borbonia

Coastal live oak
Quercus virginiana

Cabbage palmetto
Sabal palmetto

More Privacy Screening Questions

Small evergreen shrubs for part shade in Texas
January 31, 2015 - Mr. Smarty Pants, I'm, for some reason, at odds with myself about a shrub decision. I have need about 8 ft of hedge-like evergreen shrub(s) that I can maintain around 4ft to go under a window. It...
view the full question and answer

What grows in Tampa FL
July 01, 2013 - Please let me know what grows in the backyard in Tampa, FL to provide screening and privacy?
view the full question and answer

Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Arlington, VA.
June 22, 2011 - I am looking for a tall-growing tree/shrub to act as a privacy screen with neighbors on two existing borders, including, e.g., blocking out the neighbors tall swing set gym, deck, and other activity, ...
view the full question and answer

Need Fast-Growing Screening Shrub for Arlington, TX
March 16, 2011 - What fast growing shrub/tree could be planted along side a fence to provide additional privacy? We have a pool in our backyard and the view behind our house is less than enjoyable. We would like to ...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen shrub with dense base for screen in Austin
November 11, 2010 - I just bought a house in Austin and am looking for an evergreen shrub to use as a thick hedge between my elevated yard and a bus stop. The only shrubs I can come up with tend to get thin toward the b...
view the full question and answer

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