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 - October 02, 2012
From: Lubbock , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover for rock garden under large oak
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am planning a small rock garden under a large oak tree. I would like a spreading evergreen ground cover that will grow in the shade. Drought-tolerant would be preferred as I live in the high plains of Texas (Lubbock). We are now on water-rationing. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
Here are some low-growing plants that are native to the Panhandle of Texas that will grow in part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun per day). I wasn't able to find any groundcover-type plants that are native to the Panhandle that grow in dry full shade (less than 2 hours sun per day). These that grow in part shade should be able to grow in the shade, but they probably won't flower as much as they would in the sun.
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena) grows in part shade and sun.
Hedeoma drummondii (Drummond's false pennyroyal) grows in part shade.
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy) grows in part shade and sun.
Pectis angustifolia (Limoncillo) grows in part shade.
Portulaca pilosa (Chisme) grows in part shade and sun.
Quincula lobata (Purple groundcherry) grows in part shade and sun.
Scutellaria resinosa (Resin-dot skullcap) grows in part shade.
Tradescantia occidentalis (Prairie spiderwort) grows in part shade and sun.
Zinnia grandiflora (Rocky mountain zinnia) grows in part shade.
You can search for other possibilities on the Texas-High Plains Recommended list. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to choose the criteria for the plants you want.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Ground cover for Massachusetts
March 21, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
We are trying to kill poison ivy in shaded areas bordering our driveway and want to plant something quickly to replace it. There are many tall trees in this area, mainly pi...
view the full question and answer
Recovering neglected garden space from Grapevine TX
March 22, 2014 - I live in Grapevine TX (Dallas). I just moved into a house where almost the entire large backyard is covered by oak trees that shed tons of leaves throughout our mild falls/winters. The yard has not...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for rocky slope
February 27, 2012 - My house has a very steep and very rocky slope.
We have no problems with erosion, its just very unnattractive.
There is no way to mow it whatsoever, and we live in a planned community so we can't h...
view the full question and answer
Winter groundcover for shaded backyard in Austin
January 10, 2013 - I live in south Austin and have a shaded backyard. During the summer, the lawn died and the ground is now bare. I'd like to plant some kind of winter grass or ground cover that will hold the soil i...
view the full question and answer
Groundcovers for Moreno Valley, CA
May 17, 2012 - Hi, I live in Moreno Valley, CA I have a huge flower bed area surrounding our grass I am looking for the best ground cover that will have minimal up keep.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |