Native Plants
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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.
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Tuesday - April 09, 2013
From: Burleson, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Privacy Screening
Title: Privacy hedge for Burleson, TX.
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I moved out to the country away from the hustle and bustle only to find that I have less privacy out there because of open land. I hear children screaming and dogs barking from 1/4 mile away. I want to plant a privet hedge and am thinking of using wax leaf ligustrum. I have 7 1/2 acres and cannot afford to cover the entire fence line. I have some mature ones on another property. Can I propagate and if so what type of propagation is best? It will be next to a fence where we keep cows. If they are able to reach some of the branches, will the wax leaf make them sick? Do you have a suggestion for something that would work better and grow quicker?ANSWER:
Unfortunately, there are no plant screens of any kind that will silence screaming children and barking dogs.
For a visual screen, we can give you a couple recommendations. Juniperus virginiana, Juniperus ashei or Juniperus pinchotii might work for you as evergreen screens. Of these species, Juniperus virginiana is probably the most attractive and the most likely to be available in nurseries. Cattle will not eat juniper leaves.
Because the mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated solely to the study and promotion of native species, we cannot recommend any Ligustrum species or any other non-native plants. Privets (Ligustrum spp.) are particularly problematic invasive species in Texas and should not be planted by anyone. In many areas, privets have overwhelmed entire ecosystems. We strongly encourage you not to plant privets on your land.
More Non-Natives Questions
Transplanting a non-native rose from Akron OH
August 30, 2012 - Can I transplant a rose plant that I have in sunny area to an area that will be partially shady?
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Advocacy of non-native plants.
December 10, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Instead of asking a question, I would like to comment on the seemingly discouraging tone on growing plants or trees out of their native habitat that I have observed from rea...
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Propagation of non-native vitex
August 10, 2008 - I am interested in propagating a beautiful big vitex tree. Can I do it from seeds or what is the best way? Thanks!
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Problems with non-native Bradford pear in Austin
May 16, 2009 - Hi,
I planted a Bradford Pear tree about five years ago, and half of it is not filling out with leaves very well. Then about a month I noticed leaves here or there curling brown and dying, and causin...
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Planting a non-native rose on oak tree in Hutto TX
April 07, 2011 - I would like to consider planting an earth-kind climbing rose on the south side of my 12 ft oak tree. Is this a good idea? Will I create problems?
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