Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - February 02, 2010
From: Bellville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Low-growing evergreen shrubs for Bellville , TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live north of Bellville, TX and have a 3-tiered retaining wall on the west and north sides of my house. What low growing (around 2' tall) evergreen shrubs would be good to plant here. The west side gets full sun and the north side is very shady most of the day. The area is well drained. Thank you.ANSWER:
There aren't really any evergreen shrubs native to your area that grow to only 2 feet, but we can suggest some other evergreen plants, at least for the shady areas of your wall. For the sunny areas, there are several evergreen shrubs that grow taller than your preference that would do nicely and, with judicious pruning, you could keep them at a level near 2 feet.
For the shady areas there are several evergreen, or semi-evergreen ferns:
Asplenium platyneuron (ebony spleenwort) part shade, shade and grows to 3 feet and is evergreen.
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) grows 1.5 to 2 feet in shade and part shade and is evergreen.
Thelypteris kunthii (Kunth's maiden fern) grows to 3 feet in shade and part shade and is described as semi-evergreen.
Sedges are grass-like and the following three are evergreen and grow to less than 2 feet:
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge) grows 1 to 1.5 feet in sun and part shade. Here is more information.
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) grows to 1 foot in part shade and shade. Here is more information.
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) grows to 1 foot in sun or part shade. Here is more information.
Here are several evergreen shrubs that should work for your area:
Morella cerifera [Myrica cerifera] (wax myrtle) grows 6 t0 8 feet in sun and part shade. There are dwarf varieties that generally grow to around 3 feet.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) 5 to 8 feet in sun or part shade.
Malpighia glabra (wild crapemyrtle) grows 3 to 6 feet in part shade.
Sabal minor (dwarf palmetto) grows 5 to 10 feet in sun, part shade and shade.
More Shrubs Questions
Cold Hardy Hibiscus for Central Texas
April 18, 2015 - What variety of Hibiscus is cold hardy for Central Texas?
view the full question and answer
Chickasaw Plum suckering potential in Washington DC area
May 11, 2015 - I have planted some chickasaw plums around the border of my property. My property is surrounded by a wooded area, which then opens into a golfcourse.
Is there a chance that my chickasaw plums would...
view the full question and answer
Older leaves yellowing on Savannah holly in Dallas
May 01, 2009 - I planted a Savannah Holly in Dallas, TX in the Fall of 2008. It has new growth and some white buds all over it, but some of the older leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Is this normal?
view the full question and answer
Dog Friendly Privacy Hedge for Long Island
April 14, 2013 - Can you please advise me of some plants for a privacy hedge that are non-toxic to dogs and that would thrive on Long Island, NY? I am looking for a hedge to grow to about 6-8 ft.
view the full question and answer
Leaf loss on Cenizo in Bertram TX
November 17, 2009 - I need help with a purple sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) problem. Most of one of my plants started having paler, more greyish leaves, then the leaves began to fall off. It seemed to still look healthy...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |