Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - June 22, 2008
From: Aptos, CA
Region: California
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Shrub for privacy screen
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, We live in Aptos near the ocean. However, what you suggest to plant near our fence to screen out the one story house behind us. They have a large tree near in their backyard that sits against our fence but it dosen't screen out looking into each others houses. Do you have a suggestion on what I should plant to hide the fence but would also act as a privacy bush which would be about 1 foot highter than the fence so we can both have some privacy? I would like something evergreen and flowering if possible. Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants isn't sure how tall your plant needs to be since you didn't say how tall your fence is but, hopefully, at least some of these following evergreen plants native to Santa Cruz County, California will meet the requirement:Vaccinium ovatum (California huckleberry) and Vaccinium parvifolium (red huckleberry) and photos and more information about huckleberries
Umbellularia californica (California laurel)
Prunus ilicifolia (hollyleaf cherry) and photos and more information
Malacothamnus fasciculatus (Mendocino bushmallow) and photos and more information and more photos
Mahonia aquifolium (hollyleaved barberry)
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon)
Garrya elliptica (wavyleaf silktassel) and photos and more information and more photos
Dendromecon rigida (tree poppy)
Ceanothus cuneatus (buckbrush) and photos and more information
Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) and photos and more information
You can find nurseries that specialize in native plants in your area by searching in our National Supplier Directory.
More Privacy Screening Questions
Shrubs for privacy in wet area in Ohio
July 13, 2011 - I am looking for flowering shrubs for Ohio that reach 8-10 feet and can handle wet feet. I am trying to avoid building a wall for privacy and would like to use flowering shrubs instead.
view the full question and answer
Need plants for privacy screening in a campground in Wade, NC.
December 14, 2010 - Landscaping a campground tent area, need evergreen to grow to ground, narrow in width but will reach height for privacy. There is a wooded tree line along wall that produces shade during summer. Any...
view the full question and answer
Drought-tolerant shrub for privacy screen
November 23, 2007 - Is there some kind of drought resistant bush or thorny plant we can rim our property with to stop all the foot traffic through our yard? We don't care if it's pretty, just something thick and/or th...
view the full question and answer
Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012 - I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing, non-poisonous evergreen vine for California
March 14, 2013 - Hi, I am in the north bay area of California, north of San Francisco, need a quick growing vine to cover a very long section of chain link fence that is not poisonous (back yard backs up to school pla...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
