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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Wednesday - February 18, 2015
From: Paradise, CA
Region: California
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Evergreen privacy screen in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello, My family and I just bought a house in Paradise CA. I want to.plant privacy plants that are native to northern California. I would like the plant to be green all year but drought resistant if possibleANSWER:
Below are six native California evergreen shrubs/small trees that would provide privacy screening and are shown to grow in Butte County, California by the USDA Plants Database.
Arctostaphylos patula (Greenleaf manzanita) grows to 6 feet. Here is more information from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Baccharis pilularis (Coyotebrush) grows to 6 feet. Here is more information from Sonoma County Master Gardeners and the University of California.
Cercocarpus montanus (Alderleaf mountain mahogany) can grow as high as 12 feet. Here is more information from Blue Planet Biomes.
Dendromecon rigida (Tree poppy) grows to 6 feet or more. Here is more information from Golden West College in Huntington Beach.
Fremontodendron californicum (California flannelbush) grows to 12 feet. Here is more information from San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) generally grows to 8 feet, but can grow taller. Here is more information from Golden West College in Huntington Beach.
From the Image Gallery
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Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale) for Southern California
May 04, 2006 - Are there any fragrant varieties of azalea that will grow in Southern California? There are some wonderful native azaleas I found in North Carolina, such as the r. alabamense and r. atlanticum. I h...
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Native perennials for Ft. Worth TX
March 17, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Pants,
I have two large planters around the back side of my saltwater pool where there is no decking. (sloped landscape) 8'long x 3' wide. I need low growing perennial plants that will ...
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Need a perennial plant for a cemetery plot in Lexington, KY.
April 16, 2012 - What type of perennial plants to place on a cemetery plot in Lexington, KY. Receives afternoon sun.
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Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants
August 15, 2008 - Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming?
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Canadian Marine West Coast Plants
December 15, 2011 - What type of plants are found in the Canadian marine west coast climate?
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