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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - January 26, 2016
From: Wilmington, DE
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Lists, Privacy Screening, Shrubs, Vines
Title: Shrub Recommendation for Chain Link Fence in DE
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
What shrub would you recommend for covering a chain link fence and providing a screen between mine & my neighbors yard? They have kids, so it would have to be non-toxic. I'd like flowers/berries for myself & wildlife, and no thorns. Eastern/Northern exposure, with shade to partial shade (maple & oak trees). I was thinking of elderberry, but are there other options?ANSWER:
You are on the right track in looking toward elderberry (Sambucus spp.) as a good shrub to cover a chain link fence. Sambucus will create a large, broad shrub and is very wildlife friendly. Be wary of the red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) which is toxic. It is the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) that is the edible one.
If you want a vine that is evergreen so that the screening plant is effective during the winter perhaps you might consider Lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle). It is semi-evergreen and the flowers and fruits are frequented by hummingbirds, birds and bees. Indiana Poison Center lists this plant as non-toxic.
An evergreen shrub to consider is Morella cerifera (wax myrtle). A 6-12 foot tall multi-trunk, evergreen shrub. The light olive-green foliage has a spicy fragrance. Pale blue berries occur on female plants in winter. Handsome gray bark is almost white on some plants. An excellent screen plant, both standard and dwarf varieties are available. Because there are separate male and female plants, if you want berries you must have male plants close enough to berry-producing female plants for pollination to occur. Colonists used the waxy fruit covering to make fragrant burning candles.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Tx Mt. Laurel and Mex. Buckeye seed propagation in drought
July 01, 2011 - I live in the Hill Country near New Braunfels. Since I am only at my house in July and August, I would like to plant both Texas Mountain Laurel and Mexican Buckeye from the seeds harvested from mothe...
view the full question and answer
Decline ot Heartleaf rosemallow from Austin
March 26, 2012 - My tulipan del monte -a new small plant from the wildflower center--did great all winter and was forming a new flower bud, just died in a matter of a few days. It looks like it "dried up", no visib...
view the full question and answer
Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
March 07, 2014 - I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Correcting overgrown Savannah holly in Goldsboro NC
April 24, 2010 - I have an overgrown Savannah Holly. How do I go about correcting?
view the full question and answer
Something damages leaves on Tecoma stans from Austin
November 08, 2013 - Help! Something is chomping my Esperanzas. I thought it was deer but they don't seem to be eating other yellow bells in my neighborhood. I think it's an insect. Something is completely stripping the...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |