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

Sunday - April 18, 2010

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Shrub or small tree for dappled shade in San Antonio
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm looking for an attractive bush or small tree that will grow in dry, dappled shade. I'd prefer one that does not form fruit-I don't want the neighborhood skunks visiting my yard.(My dog has been sprayed twice already).

ANSWER:

All flowering plants are going to have fruits of some sort unless it is a plant that produces male and female flowers on separate plants and you choose a male plant.  Skunks, by the way, are omnivorous—eating insects, worms, small rodents and lizards as well as some berries and fruits. We can't guarantee that you won't get skunks in your yard, but here are some possibilities native to the San Antonio area that won't produce fruits particularly attractive to skunks:  

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon)

The male trees won't produce fruits.  The fruits on the female trees will be far enough from the ground that the skunks can't reach them.  They are generally eaten by birds before they would fall to the ground.

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)

The fruits are small and not particularly attractive to skunks. It prefers full sun but will grow in partial shade.

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)

The beans (fruits) of the mountain laurel are poisonous and not eaten by skunks or any other animals as far as I know.

Erythrina herbacea (coralbean) The beans of this plant are also toxic and would not be attractive to skunks.

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood) Fruits more likely will be eaten by birds before they fall to the ground.

You can go to the Recommended Species page and select South Texas from the map or pulldown menu and use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the side bar to select 'Shrub' or 'Tree' from the GENERAL APPEARANCE category and 'Partial Shade' from the LIGHT REQUIREMENT category to find more recommendations.


Ilex vomitoria

Leucophyllum frutescens

Sophora secundiflora

Erythrina herbacea

Cornus drummondii


 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Evergreen shrub for part shade in Austin
September 21, 2010 - I am planning a pocket prairie on the north side of my house. Where I am struggling is finding an evergreen shrub that will grow about 6-8', be native and provide semi-privacy in front of a bedroom ...
view the full question and answer

Shade trees not invasive to foundations and driveways
August 02, 2009 - I am in zone 9. What shade trees can I plant that will not be invasive to foundations or driveways? Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants
view the full question and answer

Area under live oaks from Austin
October 08, 2012 - We have many live oaks in our mostly shaded half acre. While I have tried to plant mostly native plants, often beneath them, the plants are showered with leathery leaves, acorns and sap, while oak sp...
view the full question and answer

Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010 - What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
view the full question and answer

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

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