Just to clarify, I meant Southern Wax Myrtle.

Maybe try here

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/txgard

Ok, thank you.

Might also Google "wax myrtle flammable" for siting recommendations.

Wax myrtle should work if you don't want anything real dense without shearing. Ligustrum japonicum is often used in that situation. Loropetalum is darker in leaf color, but also more wispy and not as dense. Needlepoint holly should work. Perhaps Viburnum 'Chindo'.

Would you consider Ternstroemia gymnanthera? There are taller varieties.

Oleander may not be entirely hardy anyway.

Sounds good. Dave, did you seriously just suggest ligustrum ?

Ligustrum would be easy. The only reason I hesitated is because I read the the birds carry the seeds off...I don't think I've ever seen a "wild" ligustrum anywhere around here though.

Interesting you mention the density of the wax myrtle. Whenever I see them in real life, they are in shade and look sparse and leggy. The pictures of them online though make them look full and dense...so i of course assume they'll look full and dense in my yard ;) Is it a sun vs shade issue, or are they just never full unless they're pruned?

Will look at the needlepoint holly and the chindo. The Cleyera looks perfect! I've never heard of that one, will call my nursery to see if they have them.

Ligustrum is a problem. It will invade your yard and spread everywhere. In your ditch, in your garden beds, in sidewalks and driveways, etc. There is ligustrum everywhere here.... it is so invasive that it dominates the understory. Viburnums aren't generally a good choice for a screen. If you shear the wax myrtles, they will become denser. You say that you want an informal hedge, so you could use tip pruning to encourage denser growth.

Oh no! That sounds bad. I know my parents have ligustrum (also in TX) and they haven't spread. I have good soil though...so I guess best not to risk it.

Ok, that makes sense about the wax myrtle tip pruning. I can definitely do that.

Logan, is Ligustrum japonicum invasive in your area? There are many species of Ligustrum. Certainly Ligustrum sinense, L. vulgare and L. lucidum can be problematic in many regions.

I have seen l. japonicum reseed where it is planted, but as far as I am aware it is just a nuisance and not actually invasive.

Anytime privet is used there is also the heavy floral odor.

Yes. They stink.

I have actually been leaning towards Nellie Stevens, girlnamedgale. I keep reading how hardy they are for this area.

I've read about eastern red cedar too, but haven't ever seen one in a nursery. I wonder if I could special order one...

Nellie Stevens is hardy to possibly a warm 6b. Any cornuta or cornuta hybrid (like Nellie) should be able to take your summer heat. They do have some spines though.

Most any holly is going to be hardy (to cold) in your area, however, some may not like the heat.

*SOLD OUT*

That's the response I get from Del, Mary, & VA wholesale growers. Is Wax Myrtle the hot new must have shrub? I don't see any wholesale availability for WM anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. (posting here 'cause the professional forum is dormant)

Logan, what may be invasive in your area might not be in another. You should always consider that when giving advice.

"Logan, what may be invasive in your area might not be in another. You should always consider that when giving advice."

Parts of texas (from what I have seen on the forums) have a somewhat similar climate, and I have noticed that privet (aka ligustrum sinense) is invasive there (as well as here). That is why I say ligustrum japonicum might behave similarly (as in the way it does here).

Lindsay, what did you end up doing? I've planted Wax Myrtles here. I was looking at them yesterday and see quite a few leaves that have fallen off. But, there is still privacy. I see where all the new leaves will be sprouting. So, they'll rebound this Spring quite well. Whatever you did, I hope you planted native. You won't be sorry.