Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - April 02, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Native plants for north facing shaded bed in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a northfacing house in central Austin. I dug a large bed along the front that gets almost full shade. What native plants will thrive in that space?

ANSWER:

Here are a few suggestions:

Salvia coccinea (blood sage)

Salvia roemeriana (cedar sage)

Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)

Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana (Hinckley's golden columbine)

Viola sororia (common blue violet)

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow)

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Indian woodoats)

 

Visit the Wildflower Center Spring Plant Sale 2007 where all these plants will be for sale.

 


Salvia coccinea

Salvia roemeriana

Aquilegia canadensis

Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana

Viola sororia

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

Carex cherokeensis

Chasmanthium latifolium

 

 


 

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Shade tolerant plant for Rodeo, California
November 02, 2008 - I live in Rodeo, California and I need to know what is a good green plant I can get to place in a shady area
view the full question and answer

Where to find Horseherb seed
August 02, 2015 - I would like to purchase some Horseherb seeds. Can you tell me where I can do that? Either locally or on line. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

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.
view the full question and answer

Small evergreen native shrubs for apartment garden in shade in St. Louis
November 25, 2005 - I live in an apartment in St. Louis, MO, and have a small patch of rocky soil in the stairwell that I would like to plant with a native or natives. The area is entirely shaded, but all the natives I...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.