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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Thursday - May 15, 2014
From: Tampa, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Privacy Hedge Suggestions for Tampa, Florida
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
My back wall is made of stone and is about 6' high. We are very close to a busy road. I need a plant that will reach about 7-8 feet high or a hedge to reduce some of the noise. What plant/hedge would you recommend? I live in Tampa, FL so it is very hot during the summer months.ANSWER:
The first place to go to find a list of potential plants is our Native Plants Database. There are two ways to find potential plants. Either use the Combination Search feature or the Recommended Species. The volunteers and staff at the Wildflower Center who maintain the database have partners in different regions to help with these recommended species lists based on what is easy to access in local nurseries.
Under Combination Search, select the following categories: State – Florida, Habit – Tree (or Shrub), Duration – Perennial, Light Requirement – Sun.
Under the Recommended Species list, select Central Florida, then sort by height - 6-12 feet.
These search criteria will give you a list of plants to consider. Follow each plant link to our webpage for that plant to learn its growing conditions, bloom time, etc. At the bottom of each plant webpage, under Additional Resources, there is a link to the USDA webpage for that plant. Take a look there for more specific details about suitability before you put them on your final planting list.
Trees and shrubs that grow to 6-12 feet tall for consideration in Central Florida:
Asimina obovata (Bigflower pawpaw)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush)
Dodonaea viscosa (Florida hopbush)
Vaccinium stamineum (Deerberry)
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry)
Quercus chapmanii (Chapman oak)
Ilex verticillata (Common winterberry)
When selecting your screening plants, consider the foliage type (evergreen vs. deciduous) and the soil moisture levels. Some of the above plants prefer more moist vs. dryer soils. Try to pick the plants that best match your garden conditions with their natural environment. Also Ilex verticillata and Ilex glabra are dioecious and needs both a male and female plant for the best fruiting.
From the Image Gallery
More Privacy Screening Questions
Sources for Ilex shrubs from Boca Raton FL
April 29, 2013 - Where can I find Ilex plants in the Boca Raton, FL area?
I would like to use them for hedges.
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March 17, 2013 - I have just built a patio and want to plant some small trees, bushes or shrubs to form a visual barrier (rather than to erect a fence)to the neighbors yard.
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Native trees for privacy screen in New Jersey
April 01, 2008 - Looking for a tree (preferably an evergreen) for a privacy hedge in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Would like a very fast growing tree that is deer resistant. Also the privacy hedge will be planted along a...
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Screen for highway noise in Conroe, Texas
March 18, 2010 - I have 120' of fence line which backs up to a busy highway, and now there are plans to widen it to four lanes. Is there a native tree or shrub which could help dampen the noise and block out the view...
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Plants for a windbreak on a slope in OH
April 20, 2011 - Have property at the top of a valley with a steep drop off. Would like to know native to NE Ohio ground covers, grasses perennials, and not too tall trees for windbreak that will prevent erosion. The ...
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