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
2 ratings

Monday - September 14, 2009

From: Guthrie, OK
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover for part shade/shade in Oklahoma.
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking for perennial ground covers for shade to part shade under red oaks in central Oklahoma. Soil condition is usually dry. Can you recommend some natives in addition to creeper for xeriscape? thank you

ANSWER:

Here are some suggestions for groundcovers that will grow in part shade or shade in Logan County, Oklahoma:

Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush) grows in sun or part shade, is evergreen, needs little water and can be mowed.

Geum canadense (white avens) is evergreen, grows in shade or part shade in poor soil and can be mowed.

Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) is an evergreen trailing plant that needs a bit of moisture.

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) is evergreen in mild winters and grows in sun and part shade.

Salvia lyrata (lyreleaf sage) is evergreen and will grow in sun, part shade, and shade.  It can form a mat thick enough to walk on if watered once a week and mowed.

Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) evergreen and will grow in sun, part shade and shade and in moist or dry conditions.

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) grows best in part shade or shade and in moist or dry soils.


Artemisia ludoviciana

Geum canadense

Mitchella repens

Phyla nodiflora

Salvia lyrata

Carex blanda

Chasmanthium latifolium

 

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

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...
view the full question and answer

Salt-tolerant groundcover for shade with no water supply
September 11, 2013 - We have a home in Neptune Beach (Jacksonville) Florida (NE Florida). We have a large area outside our ground floor master bedroom that is completely covered (there is a large solid deck above it). ...
view the full question and answer

ground covers for shady areas in New York City
June 27, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: What would be the best ground covers for big shady areas in New York City instead of lawns?
view the full question and answer

Texas native shade plants for metal troughs in Austin
December 22, 2012 - Interested in finding Texas natives that would do well in metal troughs in the shade.
view the full question and answer

Smoky Mountains Shaded Slope Plant Suggestions
April 29, 2013 - We live in a very shady spot in Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. We would like to plant vegetation on a sloped area behind our cottage to stop erosion after building an addition. Our h...
view the full question and answer

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