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

Monday - April 15, 2013
From: Charlotte, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Lists, Privacy Screening, Trees
Title: Privacy Screen Tree for Patio in NC
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
What is a good tree to plant in front of a brick wall/fence to provide privacy and not compromise the structural integrity of the wall? The brick fence is my neighbors but I need privacy as they can see onto my patio.ANSWER:
The first place to go to find a list of potential plants is our Native Plant Database. Use the Combination Search feature instead of Recommended Species. This will provide a bigger selection with much more choice to narrow down. The volunteers and staff at the Wildflower Center who maintain the database have partners in different regions to help with these recommended species lists based on what is easy to access in local nurseries.
Under Combination Search, select the following categories: North Carolina, Habit – Tree, Duration – Perennial, and Leaf Retention – Evergreen. This will give you 37 plants to consider. Next you can narrow down your search further by indicating soil moisture (dry, moist, wet), light requirement (sun, part shade or shade), and size (from your patio you may have to do some simple triangle trigonometry to figure out how high the tree should grow to block your neighbors view.
Some of the native evergreen trees that you might consider from the 12-36 foot high category:
Ilex opaca (American holly). Male and female trees needed if fruiting desired.
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon). Male and female trees needed if fruiting desired.
Osmanthus americanus (devilwood). Likes part shade sites.
Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine). This tree needs up to 30 feet in width at maturity.
Prunus angustifolia (chickasaw plum). More dense in full sun sites.
Prunus caroliniana (cherry laurel). Common screening plant for the southeast.
Vaccinium arboretum (farkleberry). Requires part shade and well-drained soil.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
FAST GROWING PRIVACY PLANTS IN EL PASO, TEXAS
October 11, 2010 - Hello, First, I am totally ignorant of plants,trees planting,etc. However, I just moved to El Paso, Tx and find every home is surrounded by these hideous rock walls, which aren't nearly tall enough t...
view the full question and answer
Need plants for privacy screening in a campground in Wade, NC.
December 14, 2010 - Landscaping a campground tent area, need evergreen to grow to ground, narrow in width but will reach height for privacy. There is a wooded tree line along wall that produces shade during summer. Any...
view the full question and answer
Hedge plant for Maui.
February 17, 2009 - Question: I live in Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii and would like to put a "living fence" around my yard for some privacy. Ideally, I want something that is going to grow fast and about 8+ feet tall for a h...
view the full question and answer
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
Trees with non-invasive roots or tops in Newhall CA
November 07, 2011 - We would like to plant a tree with noninvasive roots near our garden wall and concrete driveway in a grassy area in the front yard facing west. This spot is very sunny in the afternoon with automatic ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |