Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - August 08, 2008
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Privacy hedge for South Dakota
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I'm looking for something to use as a hedge. 8 foot or so tall offering semi privacy all year. I like dogwoods but loss of leaves in the winter makes me skeptical. Boxwood would be interesting but only 2 feet tall. Any suggestions? I have an area up to about 8 feet wide and 100 feet long. Thanks - Sioux Falls, SDANSWER:
There aren't many choices for small evergreen shrubs/trees native to South Dakota except for pines, junipers and spruces, which in their native state grow quite tall. However, many of these have cultivars or varieties that have been developed that grow to a smaller size and could work as evergreen shrubs.1. There are several cultivars of Picea glauca (white spruce) that are termed 'dwarf' that could work (e.g., 'Conica' or "Dwarf Alberta Spruce", 'Pixie' and 'Rainbow's End').
2. Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper) also has cultivars that are shorter (e.g., 'Welchii' and 'Medora').
There is also the Cercocarpus montanus (alderleaf mountain mahogany), which is described as having almost-evergreen leaves, which I assume means it holds on to its leaves longer than most deciduous trees or it is evergreen in milder climates such as Virginia.
More Trees Questions
Need trees & shrubs for a 2.5x45 ft. planter box in Chatsworth. CA.
August 07, 2012 - We recently built a pool in our backyard and need to redo all the landscaping. We have a planter that is 45 feet long and about 2.5 feet wide. We'd like to put some trees in this planter that are n...
view the full question and answer
Will a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4' brick planter. pl
September 14, 2015 - Would a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4'x4' brick planter with a drain at the bottom? It will get full sun all day. If not, would a Green Cloud Sage or a Waxleaf Myrtle work? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Difficulty with Clay Soil from Palm Bay, FL
August 22, 2012 - I had a very nice little native shady area behind my house for over 40 years, but now it has been cleared except for a 100 foot tall live oak in the center of this raised mound (50' x 80'). I've be...
view the full question and answer
Leaf fall from Cedar Elm planted in clay
August 17, 2008 - I saw the answer to leaves falling off a cedar elm planted in clay. However I planted a Cedar Elm in my back yard. I dug a hole in the grass then planted and put grass back on top. I water every other...
view the full question and answer
Time to transplant an Eastern Redbud in Pearland, TX
November 17, 2010 - When is the best time in the fall to transplant an Eastern Redbud tree in Pearland, TX? We have one approximately 6 feet tall in the back yard and want to move it to the front ASAP.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |