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)
Wednesday - May 16, 2012
From: Lakeway, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Deer Resistant, Privacy Screening
Title: Screening Planter Recommendations for Lakeway TX
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live in Lakeway in a townhome. The parking lot is directly in front of my unit so I always see headlights and cars. The HOA has agreed to build a planter about 4 feet high to help hide the cars. Would you please suggest some plants other than Primrose or Rosemary that we could plant in the planter to provide a screen from the cars. The plants need to be deer resistant. Thank you so very muchANSWER:
You are most welcome. We’re all about native plants, so you can be sure that if Mr Smarty Plants suggests a Primrose or Rosemary – It’ll at least be a native variety! You’re safe though, none of my investigations came up with those.
My normal method of finding suggestions is to bring up the “Recommended Species” page for your area, then search that listing for the characteristics you want [such as size or shade tolerance]. Unfortunately, for “Deer Resistance” you actually have to read the Plant Record, it’s near the bottom in a section named “BENEFIT”.
Here are four other Mr Smarty Plants answers for similar questions. This one has suggestions for an eight foot high screen in Austin. Another uses a different method to find a privacy screen for a shaded area in Austin. Some people [and perhaps you] would like evergreen shrubs, and here is another set of recommendations for shade near Austin.
When I went though these, five plants struck me a good candidates for your situation. You should consider these:
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac) – 6-12 ft., High Deer Resistance
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) – 6-12 ft, moderate deer resistance
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo bush) – 6-10 feet, moderate deer resistance
Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) – 2-5 feet, High deer resistance
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) – 5-10 feet, distinctively different!
Finally, please consider that planters need a bit more care and consideration than my normal “Stick it in the ground and watch it grow” approach. The Wildflower Center has an excellent “How-to” article on container gardening, please keep these suggestions in mind! Enjoy your screen!
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Plants for delineating property line
July 18, 2010 - I have a neighbor who does not mow his grass or take care of a strip that runs between my property and his. I would like to plant some inexpensive, low maintenance, shrubs, that would do well in full...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrubs for screening in Hays County, Texas
January 26, 2010 - Help! I bought 2 acres in Driftwood and built a small house. Last year, the neighbor moved in a dilapidated old mobile home right on the fence line and I feel all my peace is gone. What is the fast...
view the full question and answer
Native trees for privacy screen in Central Texas
October 24, 2007 - I live in the hill country outside of Austin,TX in somewhat rocky terrain. I wanted to plant a tree for a privacy screen to hide a neighbor's house. I was considering a Leland cypress. What are yo...
view the full question and answer
Vines to Cover Brush Pile in Maryland
April 29, 2013 - We have a large brush pile on our property that we'd intended to burn, but it is big enough now that it would require the help of the fire department! I'm thinking I'd like to cover it with native ...
view the full question and answer
Privacy hedge, thick, fast-growing in Georgetown TX
August 31, 2010 - I want to plant a privacy hedge in Austin Texas Edwards escarpment so it's rocky soil. Looking for something thick, fast growing and can be kept to 7'. It's along a wrought iron fence and ranges fr...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |