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.
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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.
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Wednesday - May 05, 2010
From: Livonia, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Vine for screening fence in Michigan
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
Need a perennial vine to grow on a chain link fence, full sun, moist ground. Wanted to block view. If it flowers and/or attracts butterflies, all the better.ANSWER:
Ahh, we love short questions at this time of year!
Usually we have to go into a longwinded explanation on how to search our database, but seeing as how you have provided the conditions narrowing the choices, here they are:
Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) attracts hummingbirds
Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet) attracts birds (fruit)
Clematis virginiana (devil's darning needles) attracts hummingbirds and butterflies
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Fruits attract quail, Purple Finch, Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush, American Robin.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) atracts birds (fruit)
More Privacy Screening Questions
Patio Privacy Screen Suggestions for Central Texas
March 17, 2013 - I have just built a patio and want to plant some small trees, bushes or shrubs to form a visual barrier (rather than to erect a fence)to the neighbors yard.
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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...
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Need suggestions for plants to form a privacy hedge in Granbury, TX.
April 14, 2011 - We live on a rocky hill in Hood County, Tx. and need suggestions for evergreen anything that will provide privacy. Red Cedars were added in October 2010 and it looks as if half of those are dying. He...
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Shrubs and trees to protect beehives in Godley TX
April 06, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Is there a (relatively) fast growing native small tree or large shrub (NOT cedar) that tolerates Johnson County clay, full sun, sometimes damp and sometimes dry soil with no...
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Native plants for privacy screen in Austin
March 11, 2008 - I would like some suggestions for plants to form a privacy screen between our backyard and our neighbor's. The site is shady, under old Texas Ash and pecan trees, and is located in North central Aust...
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