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
1 rating

Wednesday - February 25, 2009

From: Peoria, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Shrubs for shade in Peoria, Arizona
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

My six-foot block wall is on the west side of my yard. There are two large shade trees in front of the wall. What kind of shrubs can I plant near this wall that only gets sun for about 2 hours in the morning?

ANSWER:

It turns out there are a a number of shrubs native to Arizona that can survive on that much sun a day. We went to our Recommended Species section, clicked on Arizona on the map, and did NARROW YOUR SEARCH, selecting on "Shrub" under Habit, and "Shade" (less than 2 hours a day of sun) and "Part Shade" (2-6 hours a day of sun) under Light Requirements. Follow the plant links to the individual webpage on each plant to find out what height the shrub is expected to be, whether it is evergreen or deciduous and color and time for flowers. The shrubs you select should be planted as soon as possible, since the heat of Arizona will make it difficult for them to survive if they are planted later.

SHRUBS FOR PART SHADE IN ARIZONA

Acacia angustissima (prairie acacia)

Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper)

Larrea tridentata (creosote bush)

Mahonia haematocarpa (red barberry)

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba)

Tecoma stans (yellow trumpetbush)

Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea (blue elder)

Bouvardia ternifolia (firecrackerbush)


Acacia angustissima

Juniperus monosperma

Larrea tridentata

Mahonia haematocarpa

Simmondsia chinensis

Tecoma stans

Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea

Bouvardia ternifolia

 

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Saving or transplanting stand of white trillium that has lost shade
May 29, 2006 - We have a generous stand of white trillium that has been under the shade of a white oak for many years. Now the 100+ year old oak has died and the trilliums are in the sun. Are we in danger of losin...
view the full question and answer

Competition between Horseherb and Chickweed
July 04, 2014 - Ok, sorry I did it wrong the 1st time!? I live in Houston, and I have chickens! I also have mass amounts of Horseherb, and I want to buy some chickweed seeds and plant it for my chickens! My question ...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen Vine for San Antonio Trellis
November 23, 2011 - I have a new trellis at the end of my patio on which I want to grow an evergreen vine. The area is fairly shady. I had settled on Carolina Jasmine, but read that it is very toxic which is worrisome ...
view the full question and answer

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 ...
view the full question and answer

Butterfly garden plants for partial shade in Georgia
August 14, 2009 - I have a patio that is brick with 2 small areas for planting. The area has partial shade and soil is moist and looks dense. Currently there is an Ivy Bush in the back left corner which I like and ha...
view the full question and answer

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