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topicquestion
What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX?
May 16, 2011
I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly...
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Shaded Trellis Plants for Georgetown TX
May 14, 2011
What native plants work well on a trellis that will be placed in an area that remains shaded most of the day?
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Plants for shaded area under pecan trees
May 11, 2011
The east side of our Houston home has a 15 foot strip overhung with pecan trees. The shade by the start of summer is so dense that grass dies pretty quickly. I'd like to keep enough grass for the k...
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Low water use tree to shade pond in Burnet TX
May 10, 2011
I'm in need of some shade at a 1/2 acre pond, but I don't want a tree to consume so much water that it will lower the water level. During droughts the little pond needs all the water it can get. Som...
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Shade tree with non-aggressive roots for next to pool in The Woodlands TX
April 26, 2011
Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. We live in Spring, TX and are looking for a full-sun shade tree to plant in a large planter (about 6'x6') next to our pool. We want the tree to provide shade for our full a...
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Year-round ground cover for sun/shade
April 24, 2011
Looking for a native ground cover for shade and middle afternoon/evening sun. Would like it to cover all year. I planted aguga and it froze. I have two large beds (I used about 70 4in plants for ea...
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Shade tree with no roots to interfere with patio in Lake City FL
April 24, 2011
I have a 4x4 area surrounded by cement patio but would like a tree for shade that does not have roots that will mess up the slab.
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Partial shade plants for underneath ash tree in Tarrant County, Texas
April 20, 2011
I have a BIG Ash Tree in my front yard that blocks out most afternoon sun. I generally get morning and evening sun. I am looking for something to plant around the base of the tree so my yard doesn'...
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Ornamental shade grasses for Dover AR
April 16, 2011
Ornamental shade grasses for sandy soil or silt, part shade, or even vines.
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Annabelle hydrangeas blossoms drooping to ground in Wilmette, IL
April 10, 2011
I have a row of Annabelle Hydrangeas that become very heavy and droop over the entire width of the bed. I would like to know what I can use for support so that they will stand up and allow me to plan...
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Sun and shade landscaping in Coppell TX
April 03, 2011
My two-story home in Coppell Texas faces north. The houses are ten feet apart. The sun leaves the front yard late-0ctober/early-November. It is March 24 and the beds are still in house shade. In s...
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North-central Texas shrubs for part-shade
March 30, 2011
I need a shrub that will be OK in shade (2-3 hrs a day max.), in fairly well-drained soil, will grow to around 8 ft. tall and 4-6 wide, for the region between Denton and Gainesville. If it flowers, al...
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Choice of shade trees from the City of Austin
March 29, 2011
I have a choice of three shade trees from the city of Austin. They are Live Oak, Elm, Cedar. Although I am happy to have a free tree, I think the choices are not the best for my home. I have a small ...
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Shade trees for NC
March 22, 2011
What fast growing non invasive tree would be good to plant in a sub-division that could possibly shade my 2 story house? I would like it to have a tap root system so that it is strong in windy condit...
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Deer resistant, drought and shade tolerant plants to go under oak tree in Austin
March 21, 2011
What is the best deer resistant, drought resistant native plant to grow under my huge Oak tree? Grass does not grow. Will iris bloom?
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Container plants for shade in Austin
March 15, 2011
I reside in 78739. Just moving here from So Cal (where all plants are perennials), I'm looking to create a good "Shade loving" Container for near my front door. I'm looking at 'Summer Wave' Wi...
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Native Shade Tree for Central Texas
February 26, 2011
My parents are buried in Round Mountain Cemetery close to Marble Falls, TX. Can you recommend a tree or shrub we can plant to shade their graves? We need something that can survive and grow in the h...
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Wildflowers for a shady spot in IL
February 26, 2011
I have a low-sun spot on the side of my house in Chicago, IL. I would really like to turn this spot into a wildflower garden. Could you suggest some native IL flowers that might work in this spot? ...
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Wet & Shade in South Austin
February 19, 2011
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants - I live in south Austin (S. of Ben White) in a new development. Our houses are fairly close together, so there's little sun between them. The issue is that when it does rain, ...
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Shade-loving Grass for the Houston area
February 09, 2011
I have an ash tree that completely shades the majority of our front yard and is not allowing the St. Augustine grass to grow. Is there a shade-loving grass good for the Houston area?
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Looking for a shrub to provide shade to the west side of a home in Ft. Worth, TX
February 07, 2011
We are on a corner lot and are looking for a tall tree or shrub to block the west side of our house. There is only a 5 foot area space between the sidewalk and side driveway where we want to plant th...
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Non-poisonous trees to shade horse pasture in Leesville SC
February 07, 2011
Please list NON-poisonous trees for horses in South Carolina. I would live to plant a few trees along the fence of my horse pasture and in my horse pasture for shade.
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Non-Poisonous, Shade Tolerant Vine for Austin
February 01, 2011
Hello, I live in northwest Austin and have a very shady wood fence I would like to cover and was thinking about a vine. I have a toddler and a dog so anything poisonous is out of the question. I woul...
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Native plants for small pots in sun in Austin
January 24, 2011
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! We are renting our house, so while we have a yard, the landlord would prefer us to only add plants to his landscaping in pots. I have filled some large ones, but have been una...
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Shade trees for horses in Merced, CA
January 21, 2011
I would like to plant some trees to provide shade for horses in the pasture. What native trees are drought resistant (water may be spotty in the summer) yet safe for the animals? I live in the Calif...
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Deer Resistant Plants for Dry Shade in Manor, Texas
January 14, 2011
What deer resistant blooming plants will do well under a huge oak tree?
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Need Shade Trees for Entry in Poway, California
January 14, 2011
Hi - Our front door gets a lot of afternoon sun, so we'd like to plant a couple of shade trees near the entry way. Unfortunately we don't have much room between our entry path and the driveway, so...
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Native ornamental grass for part shade in Austin
December 22, 2010
Hi. I am looking for a fast-growing hardy ornamental grass that will grow in partial shade in south Austin that is not considered invasive. Unfortunately I purchased a few of the Pennisetum setaceum r...
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Erosion control on partially shaded slope
November 27, 2010
Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a...
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Tough grasses for shade
November 24, 2010
What kind of grass/groundcover can I put in our backyard that is shady/dry and has 50 lb. high energy dog traffic? Was considering Horse Herb but not sure, as it sounds like you can't get rid of it,...
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Hedge for a shady spot
November 12, 2010
In the Statesman you recently provided good suggestions about a privacy screen. I need a hedge that will grow under a huge old oak tree. Will wax myrtle or red cedar work for us? I have yaupon and m...
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Landscaping north facing wall
November 08, 2010
We live in the Dallas area and have a north facing home with a large, bare wall. I would like to plant a tall, flowering shrub that will look nice all year round. Or are there flowering vines that a...
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Good evergreen screen and some shade plants for Plano Texas
November 03, 2010
We live in Plano Texas. We have 15' between our house and our neighbor. We want to plant a divider/screen of something evergreen, about 6-15' (6-8' is better) and narrow, about 2-3' wide between t...
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What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
October 26, 2010
I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
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Plants for narrow planter boxes in San Antonio
October 02, 2010
We have a narrow flower planter box in three sections above a french drain in front of our house. The box is about 2 feet high (filled with Gardenville soil) above a french drain covered with filter ...
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Need evergreen hedge and groundcover for shade in Carmel, Indiana
September 27, 2010
Our property is bounded by a fencerow that is wooded and mostly shaded by mulberry and hackberry trees during the growing months. We'd like to create a 5'+ tall evergreen barrier on the property li...
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Evergreen shrub for part shade in Austin
September 21, 2010
I am planning a pocket prairie on the north side of my house. Where I am struggling is finding an evergreen shrub that will grow about 6-8', be native and provide semi-privacy in front of a bedroom ...
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Want salt, shade, drought tolerant plant for Rochester, New York
September 21, 2010
I am looking for a ground cover plant for western NY to grow on a strip alongside a road that gets very little sun in summer (lots of tree branches shading it). It gets a lot of road salt in winter a...
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Erosion control for steep shady hillside in Massachusetts
September 02, 2010
What would be a good plant for erosion control on a steep, very shady hillside in Massachusetts?
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Grasses for shade in McKinney TX
August 19, 2010
Dear Sir, We have lived in the same house for 25 years and when we originally moved in we had St. Augustine sod installed and for several years it did very well until my trees started getting bigge...
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Container plant for shade in Austin
August 07, 2010
I am very new to gardening (have already killed two plants on my front entryway), and I looking for a couple recommendations for for a potted plant that I can place on my entryway porch. It is shaded...
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Ground cover for shade that is drought tolerant
August 02, 2010
Can you suggest a ground cover or plant that loves shade and is drought tolerant in the Austin Region? If the two do not coexist can you suggest a ground cover for shade.
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Native shrub for shade in New Braunfels, Texas
July 26, 2010
Recently moved to New Braunfels and purchased a house whose backyard consists of giant oaks. Unfortunately there is a chain link fence along the back of the property. I would like to plant a native f...
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Screen and shade for pool in Michigan
July 18, 2010
We recently moved to a new home that has a pool. There is no shade nor privacy. What types of trees, plants would you recommend for our small backyard?
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Leaves turning brown on geum in Mountlake Terrace WA
July 12, 2010
Assuming a geum is North American . . . mine are turning brown unlike any time before. They get watered occasionally and then dry out. Is there something special I should be doing for geums? They get ...
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Need mowable ground cover for shady area under trees in Lake Charles, LA.
July 12, 2010
I live in Southwest Louisiana. I have a large portion of my back yard that is very shady because I have large trees in the yard. The area dries up fairly quickly after a heavy rain, so it isn't extre...
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Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010
What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
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Flowering plants for shady garden in Bastrop
July 02, 2010
We live in Bastrop, 8 miles west of the Historical district. We have a small flower garden in a shady spot around 25 feet from the back patio of our home. We'd like to find out what native plants, f...
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Plants for steep slope in shade in Iowa
July 02, 2010
I work for a small non-profit shelter here in Dubuque, Ia. that has a very steep slope behind the building that needs some sort of plant or grass planted to stop erosion. The slope gets little to no s...
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Shade loving plants with color for Irving, Texas
July 01, 2010
Looking for shade loving perennials or annuals with color - native and low water. Live in Irving, Texas.
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Deer-resistant shade shrubs for Lago Vista, TX.
June 24, 2010
I purchased a home in Lago Vista, Tx. It has a very shady front yard. I want to plant some blooming shrubs that THE DEER WON'T EAT! I would prefer native plants for the area. What should I look f...
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Will Thunder Turf do well in shade from Iola TX
June 23, 2010
Will the Thunder Turf do well in shady areas or is there a better blend of native grasses that would thrive better?
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Deer-resistant plants for under cedar and oak trees in Austin
June 22, 2010
I have about 1.5 acres in southern Travis county. It's full of mature live oaks and cedar trees, and the soil is full of limestone. I've been gathering the limestone and using them to create raise...
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Mulching in deep shade in Round Rock TX
June 22, 2010
Central Texas: Problem is deep shade and high temps. I noted your advice about danger to the tree when planting beneath shade trees, but wonder if there is a substance - perhaps pine needles - that co...
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Plants for shade, poor soil in Park Ridge NJ
June 17, 2010
Hello! I live in far northeast New Jersey, by the New York state border. I am looking for plants for areas of my lawn that nothing currently grows in - due to shade and poor soil quality - very rocky,...
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Will Salvia coccinea bloom in shade in Houston?
June 02, 2010
I live in Houston and I used your database tool to search for shade plants. I am particularly interested in plants that bloom and support native pollinators. My search returned salvia coccinea. Will t...
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Ground cover for Dallas in shade and partial shade
June 02, 2010
What ground cover plants will grow in full shade- partial shade in the clay soil of Dallas?
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Ground cover for shady slope in Illinois
May 31, 2010
Dear Mr. Smarty: I have a shady sloping area that I am trying to cover with low fast growing, perennials that will keep maintenance to the minimum and prevent erosion. Grass would be very difficul...
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Balancing bloom in beds in Kents Store VA
May 26, 2010
Our beds along a walkway in rural Central VA have replanted themselves - oenethera speciosa and dwarf yarrow have abandoned the north bed and are flourishing in the south bed. Sedums, lavender and can...
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Need perennials for a long shady bed in Wantagh, NY.
May 25, 2010
Looking for perennials to be planted in long narrow beds that receive mostly shade with late day sun. Reside in Long Island, New York. Thank you
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Annual flowers for rocky area near driveway in Pennsylvania
May 25, 2010
What type(s) of annual flowers can I plant along a driveway in northeast PA? The soil is very rocky and the area is mostly shady receiving only morning and some late afternoon sun.
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Plant for part sun in Nampa Idaho
May 20, 2010
What could I plant in arid SW Idaho on the northwest side of my house along a border against the house? Most of the day this area is in shade, but at the hottest time of the day it gets a couple of h...
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Shade tree for El Paso, Texas
May 18, 2010
hi there, I am looking to plant a shade tree in front of my house, about 10ft away from my house and about 6ft away from the sidewalk. I live in El Paso TX and I am afraid that the tree roots will int...
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Plants for shade under pine trees in Grapevine TX
May 16, 2010
What plants are good to put under pine trees in the shade? I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area? The previous owners stuck a Japanese Maple in there that seems to be ok and some sort of holly bush (n...
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Evergreen drought-tolerant screening plant for shade
May 13, 2010
I am renting my place and looking for a screening, green all year, native plant or shrub. I plan to grow it in large planters along my street and to create privacy in my back yard. It has to be a non...
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Fast growing shade trees safe for livestock in pasture in Nashville GA
May 13, 2010
I would like a list of fast growing shade trees that are safe for cows and horses in a pasture.
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Grass for dense shade in Simpsonville SC
May 12, 2010
We live in Simpsonville, SC. Our back yard leads back into very dense woods. It is extremely shady, virtually no direct sun for any length of time. We have a hard time growing grass here. What type of...
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Plants for no sun in Austin
May 12, 2010
I need recommendations for shrubs that can withstand no sun, something that possibly blooms but does not attract bees, wasps, or any stinging insects (hummingbirds or butterflies ok).
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Landscaping in shade in Round Rock, TX
May 04, 2010
I have a flower bed that is 3' deep by 15' wide. It is in front of my front porch. Half of it only gets sun right now from about 3:30-5pm (a little filtered sun for maybe another hour). The other ha...
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Need plants with red flowers to grow in shaded area in yard in Austin.
May 04, 2010
I have a shaded area where all the shrubs die. I would like to plant some flowers there instead of shrubs. What red flower plants can sustain a lot of shade.
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Privacy shrub in part shade to shade in Austin
April 29, 2010
Barbara Medford's July 1, 2008 reply regarding Little Emperor Japanese Blueberry Tree is exactly my experience with cherry laurel in partial sun/shaded area in Austin, Texas. For 6 - 8' height si...
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Plants for a shady front border in Ohio
April 28, 2010
My front flower bed faces the North. For the past 2 yrs. I lost 5-6 perennials. What can I plant that will make it with little sun. I don't want hostas nor ferns, nor short ground covers. I want col...
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Need plants to shade on a west-facing wall in Houston, TX
April 28, 2010
What plants are best to provide shade on a west facing wall in Houston. I am looking for plants that help to cool the house.
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Ground cover for shady area in Maryland
April 27, 2010
What ground cover grows well on a shady slope with close to surface tree roots?
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Plants for dry shade in West Virginia
April 22, 2010
I live in Mannington, WV and I am wanting to do some landscaping. The area that I would like to plant in is very dry and gets little to no sunlight. I would like to plant something that will come back...
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Tree as shade alternative to carport in Austin
April 21, 2010
Hello, I'm looking for a small tree that could provide afternoon shade for two cars, as an alternative to a carport. When mature, the tree would need to be tall enough to grow around (and above) the...
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Shrub or small tree for dappled shade in San Antonio
April 18, 2010
I'm looking for an attractive bush or small tree that will grow in dry, dappled shade. I'd prefer one that does not form fruit-I don't want the neighborhood skunks visiting my yard.(My dog has been...
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Plants for a shady spot in Illinois
April 16, 2010
I live in a new development in Huntley, IL. I am looking for native trees, shrubs, plants and/or flowers to plant on the North side of my house. Fairly shaded. Hopefully something attractive and co...
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Deer-resistant, shade tolerant evergreens for privacy in Milford MI
April 12, 2010
I'm looking for deer resistant evergreens that will be planted in the shade. I need the evergreens to hide an area I don't want to see from my home. Hence, they need to go tall. Can you give me a r...
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Arborvitae thinning in Bucks County, PA
April 09, 2010
My arborvitae trees are about 11 ft. tall. I had them put in about 3 years ago. They were 8 to 10 ft. when planted. After the first year, I have noticed they are thinning to the point where you can se...
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Plants for erosion of shaded slope in Bethesda MD
April 07, 2010
I have an eastern facing heavily shaded slope in Bethesda, Md. that needs a few good native plants to keep it from eroding. Ferns are not doing well on it. They do much better in the flats. So, anythi...
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Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC
April 07, 2010
We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare?
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Native flowering vine for trellis in shade in Henrico, VA
April 07, 2010
I live in Henrico, Virginia and have a trellis in a shady area. I am looking for a native vine to grow, preferably one that flowers and attracts birds and/or butterflies. What do you advise?
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Philadelphus ernestii under live oak in Pflugerville TX
April 05, 2010
Will Philadelphus ernestii thrive in the root zone of live oak, or would the oak inhibit its growth? I'd like to plant it just at the edge of the canopy.
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Plants for shade in Northern California
March 30, 2010
What are good plants that grow and live in shade only?
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Flowers for sunny and shady gardens in Cedar Hill TX
March 30, 2010
Last year I spent way too much on flowers for my sunny and shady flower beds. They all died from the heat, even after constant watering. What flowers could I plant in sunny and shady flower beds that ...
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Natives for a raised, part-shade bed in Pearland TX
March 29, 2010
I have a couple of raised beds that I want to plant a few shrubs (3 feet tall), perennials, and annuals. I want all the plants to be native to Texas. The only problem is that I am not plant knowledgea...
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Deer Resistant part shade plants for Austin:
March 28, 2010
What evergreen shrubs would you recommend for a partly-shaded area, next to a wall, which can be trimmed to keep their shape and height (for symmetry)..this is for a front gate to a community, so we n...
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Austin Shade Plants for Pots
March 28, 2010
I live in a condo in Austin Texas so I don't have any flower beds or yard space. I would like to put a few large pots of plants and flowers on my front patio but it's mostly shaded during the day. W...
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Native grasses that are shade tolerant for Central Texas
March 26, 2010
I recently purchased acreage in Henly (Dripping Springs area). The property has a large stand of big Live Oaks, Black Jack Oaks and Cedar Elm trees. The area has not been grazed for several years an...
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Native shrubs or ground cover for north-facing landscape in Ft. Worth
March 23, 2010
Need native plant ideas for a landscaping bed against the house facing north. Already has 1 Beautyberry but two others died of root rot last year due to incredibly high water table in our area. Old ...
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Small, drought and shade-tolerant perennials for Austin, Texas
March 22, 2010
We need suggestions for small, drought- and shade-tolerant perennials to be planted in Austin, Texas, please.
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Shrubs and other plants for shady area in Austin
March 22, 2010
I am looking for what kind of shrubs, plants that I can plant under my very shady oak trees in South Austin. Soil is good, I want to have some lushness under my trees instead of dirt, I have a small a...
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Shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses for shade in North Central Texas
March 19, 2010
Updated (2009-10) information about shrubs / ground cover /grasses recommended for North Central Texas - Complete back yard re-landscaping under a lot of trees, shady areas, regular bermuda, St Augus...
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Small shrub for shady area
March 06, 2010
I would like to find a shrub to plant on the north, northeast side of my house, but it will be in mostly shade. It needs to get between 21/2' to 4' tall. Do you have any suggestions please?
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Screen plants for part shade in Smithville, TX
February 23, 2010
Thank you very much for your reply to my question about planting bamboo. I had no idea it was so invasive. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for me. My goal is to provide a soft an...
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Vines for a shady porch in Oregon
February 22, 2010
My husband and I just bought our first home this fall in St. Johns, Portland. We would like to grow a vine on our front porch, but it is in full shade. It faces north east. We planted some jasmine vin...
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Plants for a mixed border in Houston
February 22, 2010
I live in Houston and have a flowerbed I'd like to fill with plants that will look good year-round. The back is already lined with 6-foot shrubs so nothing like that. I'd like something with colorf...
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Prairie wattle for woodland area in Austin
November 29, 2009
Can prairie wattle be grown in a woodland area? It would get part shade, with full sun for at least half a day. The soil is a bit rocky; location is Austin.
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Wax myrtle or cherry laurel in Austin?
November 15, 2009
For a very shady area under a large old oak tree with oak toxic soil, would a Wax Myrtle or a Cherry Laurel (caroliniana) be better? Looking for an evergreen screening tree up to 20ft, but it only get...
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