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_43.gif)
Friday - January 07, 2011
From: Douglassville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Looking for a fast-growing evergreen shrub to use along a fence line to obscure unsightly surroundings in Douglassville, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I live in far East Texas (near Texarkana). I need a fast growing, thick evergreen shrub to plant along a fenceline to block out the unsightly "junkyard" my neighbors have going. Prefer something that can at least get to 6 ft high. The soil is sandy, it is in shade, with maybe an hour or two of sunlight per day. Need something that is not too high maintenance. I also have horses, dogs and cats so would need something non-toxic. THANK YOU!ANSWER:
The first step in this process is for Mr. Smarty Plants to introduce you to the use of our Native Plants Database. After clicking on the link above, look in the Recommended Species Lists box and click on View Recommended Species page. Click on East Texas on the map and you will get a list of 133 species of native plants that are commercially available for use in landscapes in East Texas. This is probably more information than you can use right now, so go back a couple of pages to the Native Plant Database page and scroll down to the Combination Search box and make the following choices: Select Texas under state; shrub under Habit, and perennial under Duration. Check part shade under Light requirement, dry under soil Soil Moisture, and then click the "Submit combination Search" button. You will get a list of 95 species of native plants that grow in Texas that meet these criteria. Clicking on the name of each plant will bring up its NPIN page that has information about the plant's characteristics, growth requirements, as well as images. You can modify the list by changing parameters such as Soil moisture, Habit, or Light requirement.
Mr. Smarty Plants gets lots of questions about using shrubs to make the neighbors disappear, so I will provide links to some previously answered questions that may prove helpful.
3350 from Winnsboro, TX
5164 from Dallas, TX
595 from Flower Mound, TX
5071 from Fort Worth, TX
6506 from Porter, TX
Check the plants that are recommended in these answers to make sure they fit your growing conditions.
Whenever we get questions about poisonous plants, we usually go to the databases listed below.
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock
University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants
Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System
Toxic Plants: Horses from the ASPCA
Poisonous Range Plants of Temperate North America
After you have picked out the plants you want, run the name through these databases. Finding the plant listed is a good indication that it is toxic. However, not finding the plant isn't a guarantee that that it is not toxic, but it is less likely to be.
For some help closer to home, you might contact the folks at the Cass County office of Texas AgriLife Extension.
More Shrubs Questions
Esperanza failing to bloom in Odessa TX
September 01, 2009 - I have 3 Esperanza plants that have not bloomed this spring/summer. I live in Odessa, TX. We had about 5 inches of rain in July in one week (very unusual), but they have not bloomed-before or after. ...
view the full question and answer
Pruning of Burning Bush in Missouri
October 15, 2008 - I live in MO and am pretty sure I have burning bushes on either side of my deck. My question is that they are huge and overgrown but I feel if I cut them lower and shape the sides up I will be left w...
view the full question and answer
Removal of pods when pruning Tecoma stans
May 10, 2013 - When pruning Tecoma stans for growth and shape control,should I cut off the pods?
view the full question and answer
Native shrubs or trees for privacy shield in Cross Plains TX
March 31, 2009 - I'm looking for a small tree or large bush that will stay green year round to use for a privacy shield. We have electrical lines overhead so I need to keep it a low growing tree or bush that will he...
view the full question and answer
Further information on Melochia tomentosa in San Antonio
May 29, 2009 - Information in your database is limited for Melochia tomentosa. I would appreciate any further information you can provide such as requirements for sunlight, soils, water,etc.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |