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_40.gif)
Monday - February 15, 2016
From: Lago Vista, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Rejuvenating an old Wax myrtle hedge
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I have 8 wax myrtles that were planted about 9 years ago as a screen from our neighbors. They are about 12 feet high. During the past 9 months they are getting thinner and thinner. Two of them have died. I went through all of them and cut out the dead limbs . I do have lot of suckers coming up around all the shrubs including the dead ones I have left them alone hoping they will grow and replace the dead ones. Will these suckers eventually grow into new shrubs? If I have to replace them, what is a good shrub to use that grows fast and tall?ANSWER:
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) is very forgiving of pruning, and we saw several different suggestions when we searched on the Internet. You can prune the old branches severely now, sparing the suckers; don't wait until it starts to get hot. Then, after that, prune it a couple times of year to help it regrow into a hedge size and shape. If you are getting berries on your myrtles, that means you have female plants and that there are male plants of the same species in the area for pollination.
There are other natives, such as Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) and Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon ) that would make an attractive screen, but they both are quite slow growing, especially when young. Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) grows a bit faster and might be worth considering if you decide not to rescue your Wax myrtle.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Long Beach, NY.
August 10, 2011 - I have recently added 1500sq.ft. to my backyard. My backyard faces a busy road. I would like to place native trees and bushes along the fence for added privacy, shade and to protect my house from the...
view the full question and answer
What about the brown dots on my Silver sage?
June 27, 2008 - During the past year, the leaves on my silver sage bushes around the perimeter of the front of my house have turned yellow in places and there are tiny brown dots on virtually all of the leaves. If I ...
view the full question and answer
Diseased non-native red tip photinias from Richmond VA
April 08, 2014 - Our red tip trees have a while substance on the bark at the base of each tree..look like some kind of fungus or mold, but we don't know how to get rid of it.
Please help.
view the full question and answer
Frost damage to native plants in Austin
December 19, 2011 - Hello,
We bought a number of native plants at this fall's WFC sale and planted them. The recent frost seems to have defoliated our pitcher sage, beautyberry, butterflyweed, and flame acanthus plan...
view the full question and answer
Native trees or shrubs for privacy in Tonkawa, OK
April 30, 2009 - I live in North Central Oklahoma and I want to plant trees or shrubs along 100 ft of creek to create privacy. I would like them to grow at least 15 to 20 ft tall. What would you recommend for this l...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |