Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Thursday - June 16, 2011
From: Birmingham, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Grass for sunny or shady slope in Birmingham AL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What kind of grass grows well in the shade or sun on a sloping landscape?ANSWER:
As we told you in our previous answer, using our Native Plant Database to search for the perfect plants for your garden will help you have a water conserving, suitable plant for your area. For the grasses, however, we are going to suggest that you search the database directly instead of the Recommended Species. For a number of states, we just don't have the information for Recommended Species on very many grasses native to those states, and you will get more choice this way.
Using the Combination Search on that page, you will select on Alabama and "grasses or grass-like plants" and be sure to indicate a Light Requirement on each search, as you say you have both sun and shade on your slope. Remember, these may not be turf grasses as for a lawn, but grasses with their long fibrous roots are the best way to stabilize a slope and prevent erosion.
Grass for sun - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana (Silver beard grass) - perennial, sun, low water use.
Grass for shade -Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) - perennial, medium water use, part shade or shade.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC
April 07, 2010 - We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen drought-tolerant screening plant for shade
May 13, 2010 - I am renting my place and looking for a screening, green all year, native plant or shrub. I plan to grow it in large planters along my street and to create privacy in my back yard. It has to be a non...
view the full question and answer
Spring blooming plants for spring sun and summer shade
July 03, 2007 - I live in San Antonio. I'm faced with a dilemma. I've got mature native pecans. In the summer they provide beautiful full shade. However, in the winter and even into the late spring, my yard is ...
view the full question and answer
Japanese maple in New York
August 15, 2008 - I have a few questions: Do you know what zone Brooklyn, NY. is in? If I plant a Japanese Maple in my backyard, do you think it can tolerate almost full shade (1-2 hours of sun per day)? Also, is it...
view the full question and answer
Hedge for Austin
April 09, 2009 - Hi. I live in West Austin and am having trouble finding plants for our heavily shaded yard (thanks to our beautiful large live oaks). I love glossy, dark green leaves and big flowers. I love the came...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
