Native Plants
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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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Monday - June 08, 2015
From: Sugar Land, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Fence Shrub for Sugarland, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Hello I live in Sugar Land TX, I am looking for a fast growing shrub to plant along my six foot wood fence for a privacy screen. There is not a lot of room for them to grow in width but there is plenty of sun. Can you recommend something please? I would like something similar to Thuja but I read it doesn’t do well this far south. I already have considered Ligustrum, wax myrtle and chaste tree. Is there anything else? Is there a bamboo variety that is truly non-running/non-invasive?ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants can make suggestions. You have a number of decent choices, but none of those you mentioned will work well where you live. Both native varieties of Thuja don’t thrive nearly as south as you are and we don’t recommend bamboos as they are non-native and generally invasive.
A couple other similar questions have been received from the general Houston area. These might give some additional insight as the answers vary a bit from what I describe below.
Flowering Shrub for Houston, TX
Shrubs for fenceline in Houston
As you can see, the method used by Mr Smarty Plants is to select from native species that thrive in your area and also have the characteristics you request. When I went to answer your question directly, I used the Collection for Gulf Marshes and Prairies. I then narrowed the selection to shrubs 4 to 6 feet high and did some reading to see if there was more useful information in the record. Of the 17 that result from the selection, these three seemed interesting choice to me, consider these - and, of course, you can review the larger list yourself by following the same procedure.
Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf rosemallow) Grows 4-6 feet - - showy blooms
Malpighia glabra (Acerola) 4-6 feet, illustrations of fence type applications
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) 5-10 feet tall - - for a palm type appearance
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Plants for privacy screen in Edgewood TX
September 10, 2009 - Can you recommend a large fast growing tree, shrub, etc. that can give me some privacy from my neighbor across the street that likes to use his binoculars? I live in East Texas on about 10 acres.
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
Evergreen hedge for NY
February 26, 2012 - I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been...
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for privacy hedge in New River, AZ.
June 05, 2012 - Hi! I live on a acre that is fenced and cross-fenced with 6' chain link. I am desperate to find a drought tolerant, very low water, non-toxic, fast growing privacy hedge or vine that I can plant arou...
view the full question and answer
Combining native shrubs for hedge in Austin
April 15, 2009 - Smarty,
Please tell me what the definitions are for all the various water, soil moisture, drainage and light requirements mean. Are the definitions global? I live in Central East Austin and inten...
view the full question and answer
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