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_22.gif)
Sunday - March 25, 2012
From: Gilbert, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Hedge in Desert Full Sun
Answered by: Becky Ruppel
QUESTION:
We want a short hedge, 2-3 ft tall, small leaves that fill in to full looking hedge. It is in Phoenix Arizona area and gets full sun all afternoonANSWER:
Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) will work perfectly for a hedge in the hot Arizona sun. The bush is desert adapted (from the Mojave and Sonoran deserts) and will need little water after becoming established. It will need to be trimmed to accomplish a desired height because it has a tendency to get quite tall otherwise. Fortunately, the trimming will also cause it to fill in a bit and make dense hedge. Jojoba is extremely resistant to the desert heat and will thrive in full sun. It is also spineless, so should be a very friendly bush to have around a yard.
If you would like to look at more options you can look at the Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database. Under Combinanton Search select ‘Arizona’ from the State or Provence menu, select ‘Shrub’ from the Habit menu. From the check boxes, select ‘full sun’, ‘evergreen’, and ‘semi-evergreen’. This search will return all plants that will work for a full hedge and the other requirements you listed.
More Privacy Screening Questions
Privacy Tree for Austin, TX
February 10, 2013 - Can you recommend a tall privacy plant similar to the Thuya Green Giant that is suitable to the Austin environment?
view the full question and answer
Privacy hedge for East Texas
January 07, 2009 - I need suggestions for a native shrub/bush as a privacy hedge for East Texas conditions. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Plants to hide utility boxes
July 16, 2008 - What are suggestions for plants to plant around utilities boxes (3 of them clustered together) to effectively camouflage them but be attractive. We will outline a larger area in brick, plant evergree...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, fast growing trees for screening
June 01, 2009 - Deer resistant, fast growing, native plants (trees) as a visual block.
view the full question and answer
Vines for fence in Bentonville, Arkansas
June 12, 2013 - I have about 600 LF of 8ft high chain link fence I would like to grow vines on in Northwest Arkansas for screening. I would like some to cover quickly but be maintenance friendly. I heard alternating ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |