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Texas Gardening

Full shade privacy screen (zone 9)

Ryan (z9a NE Houston)

7 years ago

I have an area where my kitchen bay window looks out on my neighbor's house and makes me feel very exposed. We have considered shades or blinds, but if their is a greener way to block the view I would prefer it. Do you know of any zone 9 plants that could work as foundation planting and a privacy screen and tolerate full shade? My 60 ft American holly and the house effectively block most of the light year round. I'm afraid this might not be a good space for anything.

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Comments (6)

User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
This list might give you some ideas:

https://water.tamu.edu/best-shrubs-texas/

Look for the sun/shade or shade, and 7 (adaptable to most of our state).

When you say you want a screen + foundation plants, though, do you mean right up to the windows? Do you have room to plant them farther away? Can you post a pic of the area? I'm not sure what height, width, etc you're wanting.
Ryan (z9a NE Houston)
Original Author
7 years ago
It would have to fit in front of the river stones close to the house and reach about halfway up the window. It would need to be something that is slim and upright like sky pencil holly or dwarf Japanese yew.
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@Fori -Thanks so much, I think that is a great solution for the bay area. I think we may end up going that route :) All of the fences in our neighborhood are supposed to be 6 ft but somehow most seem to be 8 or even 10 :) I was reticent to ask, because we get along really well and I didn't want to make them feel pressured to do something to the shared fence that they didn't want to, but I think that is probably the best idea!
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User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Of those two you mentioned, I'd go with the Sky Pencil. The yew will stay pretty low, not sure it would be enough privacy. And the SP would be an instant solution, depending on the size you buy.

There is a newish variety of Yaupon, "Scarlet's Peak" ... stays narrow, but it does get up to 20 ft, and I don't know how much shade it can take. The females have berries.

You might want to check around at trusted, local nurseries and get their opinions. Take pictures to show them.

Another option is a trellis, arch, etc, and growing a vine(s) on it. Or, if you don't find a suitable plant, cafe curtains on the lower part of the windows.

How much distance is there from the window to your property line? I'm just wondering why you need something so narrow, and am trying to visualize the area. Is it your side yard?
MsRed Byrd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Maybe a lady slipper succulent. Ours grows about 5 ft. to 6 ft. tall and is very hardy. We're in Zone 8. It flowers in the Fall.

(Pedilanthus Macrocarpus, this one is not ours)
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We're using nandina as a narrow screen for a similar exposure problem in our north side yard. Will thrive in full shade, though with somewhat less color variation and slower growth. Compact nandina (Nandina domestica 'Compacta') is a bit smaller cultivar. The 4 ft tag height can be maintained if the tallest canes are occasionally pruned out, otherwise it will eventually grow to ~7 ft.

We've also used tall canna as seasonal and temporary screens. They flower less and stay a bit narrower in heavy shade, but some will still work there as a quick and inexpensive privacy screen.
MsRed Byrd
7 years ago
This Dutchman's pipe vine gives us complete coverage. There is complete shade underneath where we started it but it soon outgrew the shady area.

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