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
Wednesday - October 31, 2012
From: Grapeland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Shrubs
Title: Evergreen shrub for East Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for a small to medium evergreen shrub (native to east Texas) for a location that receives some sun in the morning but mostly shade. Something that blooms & attracts butterflys & hummingbirds would be ideal. Would also be beneficial if when pruned the plant tends to become fuller. I would like to keep the shrubs no taller than five feet. The soil here is very acidic.ANSWER:
The choices for small to medium evergreen shrubs that are native to East Texas are very limited. Here are a few that I found that should do well. All will grow in part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun per day).
Morella cerifera [syn. = Myrica cerifera] (Wax myrtle) may be your best bet. It is evergreen, grows well in acidic soil, attracts birds with its berries and butterflies with its flowers and has dwarf cultivars that grow to only 5 or 6 feet. The non-dwarf variety grows to 12 feet or more.
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) is evergreen, has flowers that attract insects and berries that birds and small mammals eat, and grows slowly to about 25 feet. There are also dwarf varieties available.
Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) is semi-evergreen in mild winters. It has attractive flowers and grows up to 8 feet. Here's more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) grows 5 to 10 feet tall, is evergreen and has fruit that attracts birds and mammals.
If you would like to explore deciduous shrubs for your area, you can look through the plants on the Texas–East Recommended page. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit the list to shrubs by choosing "Shrub" from the General Appearance option.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Privacy Screen for Reading MA
June 27, 2012 - Best tree to grow for a privacy screen - Hello, we recently moved into a new house in Reading and have an open area on the side of our house where we can make a privacy screen from our neighbors. Wha...
view the full question and answer
Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon
April 28, 2009 - I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help.
view the full question and answer
Non-native and/or hybridized shrubs in Pittsburg PA
May 17, 2011 - I planted 2 boulevard cypress pom pom trees last year in my front yard in the clay conditioned soil. We dug the tree holds according to the planting instruction and filled some sand in the bottom for ...
view the full question and answer
Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas.
December 04, 2011 - I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming rhododendron in Connecticut
June 02, 2008 - A two or three yr old rhododendron has not blossomed - ever! All other plants in landscape doing well, but not this one. Help
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. |
