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_23.gif)
Tuesday - May 18, 2010
From: Highland Village, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Evergreen hedge for Dallas-Fort Worth area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Our red tip photina hedge is slowly succumbing to black spot and we'll need to replace it within the year. (Yes, I now understand red tips come in two varieties: diseased and about to become diseased.) The current hedge is pruned to 50 feet long, 7 feet high and 4 feet deep and the photina did a great job for 10 years. The replacement hedge plant needs to be evergreen and possess a controlled root system since the hedge is planted along a 4 foot high retaining wall. The area receives full sun and we have a drip line running along the base. Suggestions for the DFW area given the restricted depth and root constraints? Thanks in advance,ANSWER:
Photinia x fraseri (Redtip photinia) is a of hybrid the Japanese Photinia glabra and the Chinese Photinia serrulata and, as such, is not a plant native to North America. We are very happy that you are considering replacing your hedge with a North American native since the focus and expertise of the Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by a controlled root system, but the following are not noted for their roots disrupting walls or foundations. Here are suggestions:
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) can be kept pruned into a hedge
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Mahonia swaseyi (Texas barberry)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry) and here is more information
You might consider growing vines along the retaining walls instead of shrubbery. Here are three that are evergreen:
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) is semi-evergreen
Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower)
You can visit the Texas-North Central Recommended page for more possibilities for plants for your area.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Shrubs Questions
Plants to grow under a black walnut tree in PA
July 03, 2011 - I want to plant some shrubs and flowers in an area with southern exposure that is dry, sunny, and within the drip line of, and partially under a large black walnut tree. I had been told that native pl...
view the full question and answer
When to Prune Desert Willow in Texas?
March 18, 2016 - I just learned I should have pruned back my desert willows. It's early March in North Texas. Is it too late to prune now? They are not leafing out yet.
view the full question and answer
Native plants for heavy clay soil in east Austin
May 02, 2007 - I live in East Austin and have very thick clay soil on my property. I also have a lot of shade and partial sun/shade. Can you suggest some native plant varieties that are well-adapted to these condi...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a Narrow, Dry, Shaded Site in Georgia
April 03, 2014 - I am writing from Valdosta, GA. Could you please suggest three perennial shrubs and/or plants that flower at different times of the spring and summer? Also ones that can be planted in a 2 ft. wide s...
view the full question and answer
Advice for Texas Mountain Laurel in shady, narrow bed.
June 08, 2015 - My house faces N/NE and gets a lot of shade. I would like to plant a Texas Mountain Laurel in my narrow front bed, but what is the best way to amend my clay soil since it prefers rocky soil? What woul...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |