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)
Sunday - December 28, 2008
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Narrow, evergreen shrub for privacy
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in San Antonio and my backyard is all driveway except for a 2-3' space in front of a 6 ft chain fence. I'd like to find an evergreen narrow shrub for privacy. Would Nandina be a good choice? I need something fast growing, narrow, and not decidious.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants says: "No! no! no! not Nandina!" Nandina domestica (heavenly bamboo) is an invasive non-native plant from China and Japan and we would never recommend using it in landscaping. Below are some beautiful, evergreen native alternatives. Your best bets are probably the first two. They will provide the thickest screen and they can be trimmed to keep them from becoming too wide for the area:Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) and more information from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
Morella cerifera [syn. Myrica cerifera] (wax myrtle) and more information from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
The next two are a bit slower growing, but trim well into a hedge:
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) with more information from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) with more information from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
The final two make a prickly evergreen hedge—in case you wanted to keep the neighbors from walking through it:
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) and more from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
Mahonia swaseyi (Texas barberry) and more from the Aggie Horticulture Database.
More Shrubs Questions
Native Texas Hill Country nitrogen-fixing plants
June 07, 2006 - Please help me find a listing of native (TX Hill Country) nitrogen-fixing plants.
view the full question and answer
Yellow-blossomed Shrub that Occurs in Arizona and Texas
May 08, 2012 - What is the name of the large shrubs you will see in Arizona with the bright yellow blossoms. They grow wild everywhere, and I also see them in the town.
Could you please tell me the name of them, s...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping north facing wall
November 08, 2010 - We live in the Dallas area and have a north facing home with a large, bare wall. I would like to plant a tall, flowering shrub that will look nice all year round. Or are there flowering vines that a...
view the full question and answer
Identification of thorny shrub with blue berries
May 24, 2011 - Thorny shrub with blue berries. In our acid sandy loam we have many thorn bushes. This one has small leaves like a wild pomegranate, long thorns. berries of the size and color of blueberries and is ...
view the full question and answer
Wind and erosion tolerant plants from Austin
August 05, 2013 - I recently cleared a fire break by removing cedar from around my home in West Austin. I'd like to plant the exposed NW facing slope with native shrubs and trees. Looking for selections that can wit...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |