I live in north Houston and need recommendations for plants to block the view year round from a new development that is going in directly behind our back yard. Fence line is approximately 100' and prefer the growth height around 15-20'. Any recommendations for what might work in this situation is appreciated.

Ligustrum and red tipped photenia if you want a fast evergreen. They are ugly, non native but will do the trick.

For natives, Yaupon, wax myrtle get big and thick.

I'd stick with natives noted above. Avoid red tip photonias as they are very susceptible to leaf spot and I believe are not a good match for Houston's humidity.

Bamboo

water turkey said:

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Ligustrum and red tipped photenia if you want a fast evergreen. They are ugly, non native but will do the trick.

For natives, Yaupon, wax myrtle get big and thick.

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Please don't plant photenias and ligustrums They are invasive to nearby riparian areas. Wax myrtle would be my first choice for a fast growing dense evergreen hedge for Houston. You can also look at viburnums like the Walter's Viburnum.

https://neilsperry.com/2020/12/featured-plant-nellie-r-stevens-holly/

Wax Myrtles all day every day. Grow 18-24" per year and will get 15-20' at maturity. Perfect plant for your situation.
Install 6 to 8 feet apart.

Have not had good results with wax myrtle in Houston. After 10 years or so they start dying back. Have had better luck with Eagleston Holly. I'd do a blend of several species to minimize risk of losing entire screen to any one species specific diesease, insect or extreme weather event.

GSS said:

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https://neilsperry.com/2020/12/featured-plant-nellie-r-stevens-holly/

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We are in the same boat as the OP. These look like a great option for us in Denton County

I like the eagleston holly or other holly trees / bushes. Carolina Cherry

Mexican plum or Texas persimmon make good native Texas trees that are hardy and good cover. Also fruit is edible to eat for pies, jelly and so forth

Nellie R Stevens Holly! They are tough and have pretty red berries in the winter.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Mexican plum or Texas persimmon make good native Texas trees that are hardy and good cover. Also fruit is edible to eat for pies, jelly and so forth

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Mexican Plum will be deciduous in Houston, but can be a good choice otherwise. Texas Persimmon are not very fast growers relative to other choices, but can be a good choice too (I have two that I am waiting for to grow into goood screen height trees).

beatlesphan said:

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Nellie R Stevens Holly! They are tough and have pretty red berries in the winter.

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I was going to rec NRSH but have no experience with them in Houston since I'm in DFW. Great species though. We planted Eagleston Hollies on one side of our pool. They are versatile in that they can be groomed as a tree or full bush. Yes, I said it.

This is great info everyone…Thanks! It is worth planting larger sized plants so I don't have to wait years for them to reach 15-20 feet, or does it not really make a difference as going with smaller plants will take better and end up growing to a similar height in the same time?

beatlesphan said:

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Nellie R Stevens Holly! They are tough and have pretty red berries in the winter.

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Any idea if the berries are safe for chickens?

I don't really know, I thought were pretty safe. Googling the question gives me mixed answers

I love Afghan Pines. They don't need much water if any as well.

Player To Be Named Later said:

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beatlesphan said:

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Nellie R Stevens Holly! They are tough and have pretty red berries in the winter.

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Any idea if the berries are safe for chickens?

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As wild birds seem to love the berries, I would think chickens would be safe.

Cherry Laurels would definitely work as well

I know this is a hated plant but I use it for privacy - gives my place on a rocky hill a unique look, too. Giant reed. easy to grow, but hard to kill and invasive.

barnag said:

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I love Afghan Pines. They don't need much water if any as well.

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I agree here, too. They don't have a great reputation but I have them in my yard and love them!

Varigated privet

These were 7 years at the time planted from small one-gallon plants and trimmed through the years.

WaldoWings said:

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barnag said:

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I love Afghan Pines. They don't need much water if any as well.

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I agree here, too. They don't have a great reputation but I have them in my yard and love them!

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Just curious what their negatives in reputation are? I love mine. Like I said, I've planted a few 1 gallons and never watered, they grow about 2-3 feet per year, and are a great screen and really pretty. For those that don't know, they are typically sold as Christmas trees.

We planted Eagleston Hollies 3 1/2 years ago and they look nice. But they haven't yet provided the hedge/ privacy block we thought they would planted on 6 foot centers. We had one die after I treated an old crepe myrtle stump with chemical nearby but luckily we had planted an extra tree in the front bed and it transplanted nicely the next spring. The gray rock along the fence line and behind the garage / pool equipment area was an awesome idea from the landscaper.

Like Mexican plums, bois d'arc are deciduous but have the added advantage of growing taller and, if you choose the correct individuals, have thorns that will dissuade interlopers.

https://neilsperry.com/2023/11/the-story-behind-nellie-r-stevens-hollies/

txags92 said:

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water turkey said:

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Ligustrum and red tipped photenia if you want a fast evergreen. They are ugly, non native but will do the trick.

For natives, Yaupon, wax myrtle get big and thick.

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Please don't plant photenias and ligustrums They are invasive to nearby riparian areas. Wax myrtle would be my first choice for a fast growing dense evergreen hedge for Houston. You can also look at viburnums like the Walter's Viburnum.

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Ligustrums also have a short shelf life. I'm having 19 removed in a couple of weeks that started dying in various stages. Couldn't be more than 25 years old (or so). Would've done it myself but that root system is off the chain. Great cover but…

I would plant 15-20 young Mountain Laurels. They're slow growing, but native and beautiful. I'd plant them alternating with something fast growing and disposable (ligustrums or photinias). Trim the temporary shrubs so they still provide a screen, but the Mt Laurels grow relatively unimpeded and then cut them out when the MLs are ready on their own. I just love Mountain Laurels!

If you knowingly plant bamboo or Ligustrum, I feel like chemical castration should be on the table for punishment.

TX AG 88 said:

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I would plant 15-20 young Mountain Laurels. They're slow growing, but native and beautiful. I'd plant them alternating with something fast growing and disposable (ligustrums or photinias). Trim the temporary shrubs so they still provide a screen, but the Mt Laurels grow relatively unimpeded and then cut them out when the MLs are ready on their own. I just love Mountain Laurels!

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Mountain laurels are beautiful for sure, but they are generally going to top out around 15 feet. Might take ten years to get them there at the rate they grow. And 15-20 of decent size would not be cheap for sure.

I've been using this list as a reference when answering the same question.

https://buchanansplants.com/trees-shrubs/the-best-screening-shrubs-for-houston/

ktownag08 said:

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I've been using this list as a reference when answering the same question.

https://buchanansplants.com/trees-shrubs/the-best-screening-shrubs-for-houston/

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Good list, but if you want to do Elaeagnus, keep in mind that several of the popular varieties are considered to be invasive. There are hybrids that don't self seed, and that appears to be what Buchanons is listing on their page.