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
Saturday - July 02, 2011
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees, Wildflowers
Title: Container plant to grow in late afternoon sun
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a shaded brick walkway that leads to my front door. It faces west, and can get very hot late afternoon Houston sun, although it is shaded for the remainder of the day. I have been successful in growing aspidistra in the plant bed next to the front door, I would like suggestions on any small trees, shrubs, or perennial plants that would be able to survive in pots bordering the front door.ANSWER:
Those are tough conditions with the only sun the plants get being the hot late afternoon sun. You are going to need a plant that will tolerate part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun per day) and heat. The fact that you will be growing these in containers rather than the ground is going to make it more difficult. Plants in a container can become overheated in the hot sun; whereas, plants in the ground will have the heat dissipated better than in a small container. We have an article, Container Gardening with Native Plants, that you should read. You should also read the answer to a recent question dealing with plants grown in containers and suffering from the heat.
Now for the plants—you didn't say but I imagine you would like an evergreen. Here are a few evergreens that should work:
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) will grow in sun and part shade 6 to 12 feet high. There are dwarf varieties.
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) will grow in sun, part shade and shade 12 to 25 feet high. There are dwarf and columnar varieties and they can be pruned.
Prunus caroliniana (Cherry laurel) is a small tree that will grow in partial shade to over 20 feet, but could be maintained in a container for several years before growing too large. Here are more photos and information.
Yucca arkansana (Arkansas yucca) grows in part shade and, with the flower stalk, can be 6 feet high. Here are more photos and information.
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) grows in sun, part shade and shade 5 to 10 feet tall and can grow to be 4 feet wide. Here are more photos and information.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Most common wildflower in Texas from Grand Prairie TX
March 12, 2012 - What is the most common wildflower in the state of Texas? My kiddos stumped me on this one?
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets in memorial garden in cemetery
April 11, 2008 - When is the peak time to scatter bluebonnet seeds? I have a loved one that recently died, and she requested that her body be cremated. She would like her ashes to be mixed with bluebonnet seeds and ...
view the full question and answer
Day trips for wildflower viewing from Austin
April 05, 2012 - I live in Austin, Texas. Where is the best place for bluebonnet viewing? Or a day trip to see wildflowers? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
More on bluebonnets
April 19, 2007 - I am a displaced Austinite - As of last week now living in upstate New York (Binghamton). As I was leaving town - a friend presented me with a pound bag of bluebonnet seeds. A thoughtful gift - but I...
view the full question and answer
Inadvisability of overseeding winter rye with wildflowers
January 15, 2007 - I've recently had such phenomenal success with winter rye seed that I'm looking for a spring wildflower seed mix to dress over the same area -- a thin-soiled and pretty bare open-sun (and sprinkler-...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |