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

Thursday - September 12, 2013

From: Annapolis, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for Shade in Annapolis MD
Answered by: Larry Larson

QUESTION:

Can you please recommend dense shade tolerant shrubs for Annapolis, Maryland.

ANSWER:

 Sure, you can find a list to consider using the Maryland Recommended Species list.  When it is reduced to the Shade Tolerant ones, 15 shrubs are listed.

  I’ve interpreted “dense” as the shrub having more of the classic shrublike mound  aspect as different from being a small tree, which is the other aspect one will find called a “shrub”. As you didn’t mention size, I am listing these in rough order of height.

Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea) - - 3 ft.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry) – 4-6 ft.
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark) – 3-10 FT.
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush) – 6-12 ft.
Rhododendron catawbiense (Catawba rosebay) 6-20 ft.  – Specifically mentioned as dense
Rhus typhina (Staghorn sumac) – 15-30 ft. – Colony forming

For your consideration, here is a Mr Smarty Plants MSP discussion on Native plants for Maryland and Chesapeake Bay.

 

From the Image Gallery


New jersey tea
Ceanothus americanus

Coralberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Common ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius

Common buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis

Catawba rosebay
Rhododendron catawbiense

Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina

More Shrubs Questions

Esperanza freezing back in Highlands, TX
April 16, 2011 - I have an 3 yr. old Esperanza that froze the last two yrs. but grew back each spring. This spring after getting about 2 ft. the leaves at the bottom began turning brown at the edges and now seems to...
view the full question and answer

Availability of Michigan Holly berries in Northern Michigan
November 17, 2012 - I live in Northern Michigan, and am new in the wreath making business. Last year I found Michigan Holly berries and used them for my wreaths. They have the most beautiful berries I have ever seen, a...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen privacy screen in California
February 18, 2015 - Hello, My family and I just bought a house in Paradise CA. I want to.plant privacy plants that are native to northern California. I would like the plant to be green all year but drought resistant if...
view the full question and answer

Cuttings from beautyberry from Stockport OH
May 22, 2014 - My beauty berry is starting a new growth about 2ft from main plant, can I dig this and part of the root without hurting the main part, if so, when?
view the full question and answer

Invasive, non-native Siberian peashrub for waller TX
February 02, 2012 - Good Morning Mr. Smarty Plants! I am trying to find out if the Siberian Pea Shrub is a good plant for Southeast Texas or if it is considered an invasive no no. It seems to have many qualities for wild...
view the full question and answer

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