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

Wednesday - June 11, 2008

From: Arlington, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Large shrub for screen in shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and creek beyond the fence.

ANSWER:

Below are several large shrubs/small trees that should work well for a screening shrub in Tarrant County, Texas.

Note: shade = <2 hours of sun/day and part shade = 2-6 hours of sun/day

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood) part shade, shade

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) evergreen—sun, part shade

Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) evergreen—sun, part shade

Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) part shade

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) part shade

Ilex decidua (possumhaw) sun, part shade

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) evergreen—part shade

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) evergreen—sun, part shade

Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree) sun, part shade, shade

Rhus glabra (smooth sumac) sun, part shade, shade

Rhus lanceolata (prairie sumac) sun, part shade

Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw) part shade


Cornus drummondii

Morella cerifera

Mahonia trifoliolata

Callicarpa americana

Frangula caroliniana

Ilex decidua

Ilex vomitoria

Leucophyllum frutescens

Ptelea trifoliata

Rhus glabra

Rhus lanceolata

Viburnum rufidulum

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

How much shade will Thunder Turf (Habiturf) take?
March 20, 2016 - How much shade will Thunder Turf take?
view the full question and answer

Lantana failing to bloom from Tampa FL
October 04, 2012 - I reside in central Florida. I have planted several lantana the orange,red,yellow type. I don't have proper species name. They have been in the ground 3 weeks with 2" of potting soil around root ba...
view the full question and answer

Magnolia species are allelopathic
August 02, 2014 - Have a healthy Southern Magnolia tree around 8 years old. It seems like everything I plant next to it dies.: Variegated Spirea, Stokes Aster, Hydrangeas. Is there something it secretes like the waln...
view the full question and answer

Shade tree for horses in North Virginia
October 16, 2009 - I need to plant a shade tree for my horses and am considering a fast growing tree called an Empress Tree(paulownia). It would be outside of their fenced area but close enough to provide shade for the...
view the full question and answer

Flowering shrub for part shade in Southern California
September 10, 2009 - What shrubs would be able to flourish in morning shade but deal with afternoon sun and 90 plus degrees in the summer months in Southern California? I would like a shrub that is about 5 ft. tall and 3 ...
view the full question and answer

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