Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Tuesday - April 20, 2010
From: Ft. Worth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for pool area in Fort Worth
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have a new pool in our backyard, and now also quite a bit of bare land to go with it. Looking for native grass suggestions and also shrubs/trees that I can plant around the pool area for privacy and wind blocking. We live in the north Ft.Worth areaANSWER:
Recently, I answered a similar question from someone in Plano—not far from you. Here is the link to that question and answer. You will see a list with photographs of shrubs/trees and herbaceous perennials at that link. You can also find a list of recommended native plants that are commercially available for landscaping in the North Central Texas area by visiting our Recommended Species page and selecting that area from the map or the pull-down menu. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the sidebar by the list to select particular characteristics you might like. The list on the previously answered question didn't have grasses included so here are some recommendations for grasses. Since I don't know what your sun/shade situation is, you should read the "Growing Conditions" for each of the plants recommended to see that they match your site.
If you are looking for turf grasses and you have plenty of sun, then you should consider a mixture of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss), Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (curly-mesquite). The Wildflower Center has done extensive research on using these three grasses as lawn turf. You can read about this research and how to establish a native multi-species lawn.
Here are some other attractive grasses native to your area:
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly)
Muhlenbergia reverchonii (seep muhly)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Here are some photos of these grasses from our Image Gallery:
More Privacy Screening Questions
Shrub to screen backyard and block noise
March 14, 2009 - I'm trying to find a shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the 60ft of my back fence that would get between 8 and 10 ft tall. I would like something that att...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen replacement for bamboo in Redding CA
July 27, 2009 - We have just removed bamboo from our backyard and need to replace it with a plant that will give us the same type of privacy. What plant would you suggest to plant along a fence line that will surviv...
view the full question and answer
Plants to hide utility boxes
July 16, 2008 - What are suggestions for plants to plant around utilities boxes (3 of them clustered together) to effectively camouflage them but be attractive. We will outline a larger area in brick, plant evergree...
view the full question and answer
Privacy screen for pool in Round Rock, TX
February 09, 2009 - We have a pool in our backyard and neighbors quite close on both sides. There is only a cedar fence between yards and we are desperate for some privacy! We are looking for a fast grower that will gr...
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants to form a privacy hedge in Austin, TX.
April 14, 2011 - I live on a corner lot with the backyard facing a busy street. My lot is 4 feet lower than street level. I am looking for a privacy screen to plant along this North facing side. I have a canopy of ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |