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

Tuesday - November 06, 2007

From: Franklin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrub or small tree for hedgerow to block view
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

For property in the Post Oak Savanah area of Eastern Texas, north of Bryan, Texas, I would like to plant a native hedgerow to block the view of a neighboring property. Ideally this would be a shrub to cover from the ground to a height of about 12-15 feet, and I am hopeful it wouldn't be invasive and create its own set of problems. Do you have suggestions.

ANSWER:

Mr. SP assumes you would like evergreen since you are trying to block a view. Here are 5 possibilities that are native to Robertson County, Texas:

EVERGREENS:

Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry), 15-20 feet

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), 6-20 feet

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon), 12-25 feet

Pinus taeda (loblolly pine), 72-100 feet but can be kept pruned to size

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) , usually 30-40 feet and can also be kept pruned to size

Here are more choices if you want to consider deciduous shrubs or trees:

DECIDUOUS:

Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw), up to 18 feet

Viburnum nudum (possumhaw), 12 -20 feet

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn), 12-20 feet

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood), 12-16 feet


Prunus caroliniana

Morella cerifera

Ilex vomitoria

Pinus taeda

Juniperus virginiana

Viburnum rufidulum

Viburnum nudum

Frangula caroliniana

Cornus drummondii

 

 

 

More Shrubs Questions

Which plants are resistant to dog urine in Ashmore, IL??
May 21, 2012 - Which native plants are resistant to dogs urinating on them?
view the full question and answer

Weak flowering on rosa minutifolia from San Diego CA
July 27, 2013 - Hi, I have a Rosa minutifolia and has been doing great, but when it gives flowers the petals fall too fast, only last a day or two and also the fruit never forms completely and finishes drying so I ca...
view the full question and answer

Yellowing leaves on yaupon in Ft. Worth
April 23, 2009 - I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly in January in full sun. It is blooming little white flowers right now for spring, but a lot of leaves are turning yellow. Do you know what is causing this? ...
view the full question and answer

Beautyberries not poisonous to cats and dogs from Haddonfield NJ
December 11, 2012 - Are beauty berry plants poisonous to cats/dogs? Would like to use branches w/berries and leaves as indoor decorations.
view the full question and answer

Deer resistant, shade tolerant foundation plants for Kerrville TX
March 30, 2013 - I'm looking for foundation plants for shade that are deer resistant. Tall as well as medium height.
view the full question and answer

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