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Texas Gardening

Full, evergreen shrub or tree suggestion

15 years ago

I need a recommendation for a shrub or tree to block our back neighbor's interesting clothesline. It is mostly sun, needs to be full and evergreen and I'd love it if it also flowered, though that is not a requirement. I think it should also be at least 5-feet tall.

Thank you so much!

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Comments (11)

lou_spicewood_tx
15 years ago
I'd be tempted to try Sweet Olive. The cultivar called 'Fudingzhu' sound very interesting as it blooms a lot more than the regular sweet olive. Supposedly very fragrant... I haven't had it that long but when they bloomed, I had get up close and smell it. Smells pretty nice. Fall is when it's at its peak.
knittlin
15 years ago
Xylosma is a great, FAST growing shrub that's a lot like wax-leaf ligustrum, but not invasive. I'd bet it'd block that clothesline in a year or two, but it gets a lot taller than five feet though. Maybe plant one of them and keep it trimmed short, or plant something slower growing in front of it to fill in later.

Burford Holly would also fit the bill. But if you want all that and flowers, too, I'd plant a Texas Mountain Laurel back there.

All three are evergreen and will do just fine in full sun.
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My standard hedge shrubs for deer have been boxwoods and hollies. Have both the common box and dwarf English in full sun and the deer hate the smell (as do some people)--I really don't smell it in the ground and the dwarf English are very close to house foundation. There many types of hollies available that might be useful as long as you are okay with pruning. (Dwarf Burfordii, China Girl/Boy,)--I wouldn't use "Nellie Stevens" as they get big. One of my favorites is the native Inkberry "Ilex glabra" I believe--very nice conical shape. Have fun!
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A Steeds Holly might be nice, they have that conical shape you mentioned. They are a soft touch holly, (no points, no berries) But I personally love Euonymous. There are a lot of varieties to choose from these days. I am partial to the green spire, which grows moderately quickly and keeps a columnar form. There are a lot of variegated varieties as well if you are looking for a little more color. Depending on the variety they can get quite large, which would help provide some shade for your Pieris. And they're hardy!
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lieslmcq
Original Author
15 years ago
Excellent suggestions. Of course, now I'm torn between a the sweet olive and the Texas Mountain Laurel.

Thank y'all so much!
knittlin
15 years ago
Plant one of each in case they move the clothesline over. ;)
lieslmcq
Original Author
15 years ago
HA! The thing goes across the entirety of the backyard and the undies stay up for weeks. Actually, now that I think about it, I should go over there and make sure that man is being cared for properly. Hmmmm!
User
15 years ago
Texas Mountain Laurel isn't a fast growing plant though.
knittlin
15 years ago
Nope, it's sure not, so if that's a concern for you, Lieslmcq, you might want to choose another plant or do the "plant a fast grower first and slower one in front" trick. Or buy one five feet tall ~ not cheap, but might be worth it.
bjb817
15 years ago
I think an Oleander might be a good choice for your situation. They're evergreen, flower and grow ridiculously fast. We planted a one gallon "Hardy Red" last spring and it was over 4' tall by season's end. They love full sun and are drought tolerant also.

The only drawback is that all parts of the plant are poisonous, if small kids or pets are a consideration.
lou_spicewood_tx
15 years ago
Wax myrtle would do the trick. Grows fast... There are different cultivars for different sizes. The regular ones can get pretty big. The dwarf types are around 4-8 feet.
justintx
15 years ago
I like the variety idea - a lot. Consider eleagnus also. The blooms are inconspicuous, but oh, what a pleasant fragrance! Good bird habitat, fast grower to about 8' x 8'.

To me, a solid 'hedge' is kind of boring. You have LOTS of good options above. Have fun!
lieslmcq
Original Author
15 years ago
I like the variety idea, too. Except for the fact that it's a small area, that is. The previous owners put a shed up so there's a narrow path between that and unattached garage that basically leads straight back to the spot in question. Right now there's a butterfly bush that, if not kept well trimmed, pokes at us as we wheelbarrow past with stuff for the compost pile. If I can remember, I'll take a picture of the offending clothesline and spot tomorrow.

I love all of these suggestions! I can't decide, now.

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