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_10.gif)
Wednesday - April 23, 2008
From: EXETER, CA
Region: California
Topic: Best of Smarty, Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Plants to keep children out of yard
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I WANT TO PLANT SOMETHING ALONG A FENCE LINE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF OUR YARD. NEEDS TO GROW FAST BUT NOT POISONOUSANSWER:
There are plants that would serve that purpose. They would all take time to grow and be expensive to purchase. Have you considered just putting in a fence? The cost might be more initially, but when you factor in watering and other care for the plants, it would probably even out. Also, what about when you sell your house? No family with children is going to want to buy a house with a child-unfriendly hedge around the yard. You live in a beautiful agricultural area, and Exeter sounds like a charming small town. Somehow, we just can't bring ourselves to recommend our wonderful native plants as a barrier. Perhaps you should contact the University of Calfornia at Davis Tulare County Extension Office for more local advice on a solution to your problem.
More Best of Smarty Questions
Pot on a pillar in a pond in Pflugerville
April 26, 2010 - No question: Just a thanks to Barbara. You can't imagine how hard I laughed when I read the interpretation that I was going to plant Maximilians in a pot on a pedestal in the middle of a pond!!! S...
view the full question and answer
Growing Native Plants in Juniper litter from Wimberley, TX
October 04, 2010 - Junipers create an environment under their canopy that prohibits growth of other plants. I have a virgin lot that has been cleared of many juniper but has remaining heavy natural leaf mold containing...
view the full question and answer
Information about rainwater collection systems
November 25, 2008 - I am wanting to design and install a rainwater collection system, and would like recommendations on suppliers, how to operate, detailed info on construction, capacity and pumping. Any info you can pro...
view the full question and answer
More than you want to know about planting a pond in Austin Texas
December 10, 2010 - Winterizing Water Garden QA from Nov 27 Austin American-Statesman: Would the garden (60-gal aluminum) with those plants (papyrus, horsetail, water lily) be placed in the sun, shade, part shade or ? I ...
view the full question and answer
Is there an automated image download function for the NPIN Image Gallery?
November 03, 2009 - Hi, I have a database/web technical question. Do you provide an interface to retrieve photos from your website programatically?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |