Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Friday - May 07, 2010

From: Bellingham, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Plants for a mixed hedgerow for privacy and for the birds
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What are the best native plants for a mixed hedgerow in a small backyard? I want privacy (heights 5'-10') and bird friendly. Thank you for your information.

ANSWER:

You can visit the Washington Recommended native plant list for commercially available landscaping plants for your area.  Use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to select 'Shrub' from the General Appearance box.  You can also enter other preferences for Light Requirement, Soil Moisture, etc.

Here are a few suggestions from the list for your mixed hedge row:

Cornus sericea (redosier dogwood)

Gaultheria shallon (salal)

Mahonia aquifolium (hollyleaved barberry)

Morella californica (California wax myrtle) and here are photos and more information.

Rhus glabra (smooth sumac)

Rubus spectabilis (salmonberry)

Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea (blue elder)

Viburnum edule (squashberry)

Here are photos from our Image Gallery:


Cornus sericea

Gaultheria shallon

Mahonia aquifolium

Rhus glabra

Rubus spectabilis

Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea

Viburnum edule

 

 
 

More Wildlife Gardens Questions

Plants for no sun in Austin
May 12, 2010 - I need recommendations for shrubs that can withstand no sun, something that possibly blooms but does not attract bees, wasps, or any stinging insects (hummingbirds or butterflies ok).
view the full question and answer

Native plants for butterflies and birds in a park in Lampasas, Texas
May 19, 2009 - There is an area along a creek in Lampasas, Texas that I want to establish as a butterfly and bird park. There are various native plants there now, but I want to add plants that are hosts for butterf...
view the full question and answer

Looking for grasses for slope around retention pond in Florida
August 02, 2011 - I live in St. Petersburg, FL on a large retention pond. Most of my neighbors on the pond have seawalls. I do not nor do my neighbors to my left and right. I am interested in colorful grasses to put...
view the full question and answer

Hedge shrubs that attract butterflies & birds in Virginia
June 13, 2014 - Hi - I need recommendations for north VA hedge shrubs that attract butterflies and birds. Thanks
view the full question and answer

Interested in a mini food forest
February 04, 2013 - I am interested in starting a mini "food forest" in a twelve foot by twelve foot patch of earth next to my house. I'd like to put a focus on making sure that the bulk of the plants I introduce are ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.