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topicquestion
Low maintenance, shade tolerant groundcover for Pacific Northwest
August 09, 2012
What's a good low maintenance, shade tolerant ground cover for the Pacific Northwest? It needs to have good erosion control, too.
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Native violets under maples from Gettysburg PA
July 06, 2012
Just for your info (no need to post or reply), I saw an old post of a question of something to grow under maples. In central PA, native violets grow very well under several species of maples in lawns...
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A privacy hedge for a shady spot in Austin, TX
July 02, 2012
What is a good choice for a privacy hedge in west Austin in a predominantly shady area? I'd like it to be 8-12 feet, along the fence, so as to obstruct the view of the neighbor's yard.
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Evergreens for privacy in VA
June 24, 2012
I need fast growing evergreens or large shrubs, flowering or non-flowering, for privacy. They will need to flourish among large oak and hickory trees that are 75 plus years old. We don't want to dama...
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Drought-tolerant plants for deep shade in Florida
June 23, 2012
I am looking for indigenous, drought tolerant, leafy dense plants (kind of hosta like) that will grow in deep shade (under a tree that gets little sun) in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Ground cover under live oaks
June 18, 2012
I have some areas under Live Oak trees (maybe 200 sq. ft.)that remain bare, in spite of trying Habiturf. Soil is dry, poor and shallow. Can you suggest a living ground cover that would not require m...
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Plants for Shady Clay soil in Illinois
June 18, 2012
Could you recommoned native plants for clay soil and shade near Chicago?
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Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012
I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
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Ground cover for shade from Atlanta GA
May 28, 2012
I am looking for recommendations for a ground cover. I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and have a large shady slope on which I would like to use low maintenance/water native ground cover. What wou...
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Trees for shade in Austin
May 20, 2012
I live in Austin and I am looking for a good tree to plant under a large live oak I have in my backyard. Something slow-growing of course and, the garden only gets late day sun for about an hour. Filt...
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Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012
Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
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Erosion Control in Bartlesville OK
May 10, 2012
What kind of plants can we use to stop erosion and loss of bank on a creek that is mostly shaded? Is there any free advice/plants for people that are losing land due to water levels rising/dropping?
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Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012
I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
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Seed source for Carex texensis from Louisville KY
May 02, 2012
Your reply to my question re a grass for my Kentucky home with cistern only water available was much appreciated, Carex texensis was recommended. I am unable to find this product for sale other than ...
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Replacement for grass under non-native weeping willow from Yorba Linda CA
April 24, 2012
What would be a good replacement for the grass currently growing under a weeping willow? Something requiring low maintenance, the problem is with mowing over and around the roots.
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Interaction of Habiturf and St. Augustine grasses from Willow City TX
April 16, 2012
How does Habiturf and St. Augustine interact? Does one dominate the other? Can you plant them in close areas? Thank you.
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Shade tolerant Wildflowers for Oklahoma City
April 16, 2012
I live in Oklahoma City. I'm not in town very often, and am seeking low maintenance plants. I have MANY trees in my backyard, which makes it quite shady. I have raised beds amongst my rock garden ...
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Hummingbird Attracting Plants for Shade in Smithville, TX
March 28, 2012
I want hummingbird plants for shade.
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Erosion control for a North Carolina creek side
February 29, 2012
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I noticed a question on your website recommending NC native grasses and plants to help prevent erosion on a sloping backyard, including the use of an erosion blanket. The pl...
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Container plants for Arlington TX
February 10, 2012
Mr. Smarty Plants, I just moved to Arlington, TX. I am trying to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. What flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit combinations can I put together that wil...
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Reseeding a dead lawn in Wimberley TX
February 07, 2012
Our new house had a sodded lawn that now appears dead. There remains a layer of sandy soil as a part of the sodding process. Is there a way to reseed these existing slabs of sod and what process wo...
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Need a 2-4 ft shrub for the shady NW side of the house in Austin, TX
February 07, 2012
I am looking for a 2-4 ft tall shrub or hedge to plant along the NW side of my house, which is shaded by a live oak. This area doesn't get any direct sun. I wondered if a row of Winter Gem Boxwoods ...
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Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
January 30, 2012
What shrubs can I plant on a wet slope that gets partial sun that will help control erosion? They need to be something the deer won't eat! We have lots of deer.
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Evergreen Vine for San Antonio Trellis
November 23, 2011
I have a new trellis at the end of my patio on which I want to grow an evergreen vine. The area is fairly shady. I had settled on Carolina Jasmine, but read that it is very toxic which is worrisome ...
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Shade tolerant groundcover plants for Tarrant County, Texas
November 01, 2011
I live in far NE Tarrant County (Ft Worth), TX and need a groundcover that can tolerate complete shade and poor, rocky, clay soil. I need mostly for erosion control, and needs to be relatively low
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Plants for shade in Abilene TX
October 29, 2011
I live in Abilene, Texas. I am trying to find the best plants to fill in an area on the North side of my home, which gets absolutely no sun. The area is sprinklered, and stays fairly moist. I really d...
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transplanting Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)
October 25, 2011
Behind our house is a huge grotto with a spring flowing through it that runs into a creek. Because of the constant flow of water, there are many of the Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris). I ...
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Container plants for cool weather in Cypress TX
October 02, 2011
I am a novice gardener and I am looking for some ideas on potted plants for the fall/winter. They would be covered by a roof, but still susceptible to the elements. What can be planted now that will...
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Native grasses for shady yard in Austin
September 04, 2011
I was looking at your research on native grasses to be used in a yard. I want to plant your native mix of seeds, but worry that there is too much shade in my yard. I live in central Austin and wante...
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Stumps of fallen oaks in Hurricane Irene from Newton PA
September 03, 2011
Two large red oaks fell in the woods in our yard in Newtown PA due to Hurricane Irene. The trees have been removed, but the stumps remain. Please can you recommend some fast-growing, attractive, nativ...
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Native plants for shade in Ennis TX
August 26, 2011
My house faces south. The southwest side of the front yard has a Pride of Houston, Japanese Barberry, 2 crape myrtles and some dwarf yaupon hollies. The other section, divided by a stairway to the p...
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Replacing mature Arizona Ash trees in Austin
August 26, 2011
Mr. Smarty Plants, I have 2 very large, very old Arizona Ash trees in my yard. I want to remove them and replace them with something like Cedar Elm or Chinquapin Oak. The problem is that they are t...
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Native grasses or sedges for a border in Texas
August 12, 2011
I am in the process of gradually replacing some of my landscaping in Dallas Texas with native Texas plants. Your website has been very helpful. I now wish to replace a liriope border, which has cro...
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Erosion prevention on shady Pennsylvania stream
July 28, 2011
I'm looking for a few species to plant along a stream channel to help reduce erosion during heavy rains. The soil is moist and in full shade. Ferns and thorny bushes are the only current vegetation...
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Plants for under live oak in Houston
July 09, 2011
Hi, We have a live oak in our back garden in Houston and would like to plant a combination of some native shrubs and flowers near it (preferably perennial). The garden bed is about 4 metres from the...
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Native wildflowers for shade in Boone NC
July 05, 2011
I have a totally shaded area with tall trees and want to plant some native shade wildflowers beneath the trees. It is fairly level. I'd like perennial flowers. I noticed Flaming Azalea was one opti...
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ground covers for shady areas in New York City
June 27, 2011
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: What would be the best ground covers for big shady areas in New York City instead of lawns?
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Shady shrubs for an ugly fence in New Jersey.
June 23, 2011
What type of tree or shrub can I plant in 07747 NJ to cover an ugly fence that gets little or no sun. Thanks
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Grass for shady area
June 21, 2011
I need to find a grass that can grow in a shady area, with some sun. Drought resistant and preferably native to the area. Would like to find a sod if possible. I know it's not a great time to plant n...
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Grass for sunny or shady slope in Birmingham AL
June 16, 2011
What kind of grass grows well in the shade or sun on a sloping landscape?
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Shaded Groundcover for Florida
June 15, 2011
Looking for ground cover for shade. Area is between two houses. Something with minimal amount of work and care.
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Silverleaf Nightshade, Happy in El Paso Texas
June 14, 2011
Trying to identify a small wildflower all over in our El Paso neighborhood. Lavender bloom, five pointed petals, Star pattern inside, five bright yellow pistols. Beautiful. Thanks!
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Watering newly planted woodland plants in VA
June 12, 2011
How frequently should newly planted, native plants, growing in wooded areas be watered? Is it better to not water at all than to use sprinklers in which case the water rarely saturates the leaf...
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Plants for a shady hillside in WI
June 07, 2011
I would like to know what kind of plants I could plant on a northern exposure hillside to stop erosion. At the bottom of the hill is a lake. Also would putting rocks from the area as natural retaining...
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Fast-growing vine for shade in Brooklyn
June 05, 2011
I am looking for a flowering vine that is fast growing and will be able to flower this season if I plant it within next couple weeks (in June) here in Brooklyn. I want something that will grow up a pi...
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Bee-attracting vine for shade from St. Paul MN
June 02, 2011
I need a vine for shade that attracts bees. I am in Minnesota, zone 4a. Thanks
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What will grow under neighbor's overhanging tree in Grosse Pointe Woods MI
May 29, 2011
My next door neighbor has a beautiful tree that is easily 60 years old and thus not going anywhere. Unfortunately, for me the roots of this tree have extended under a large corner of my back yard. Add...
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Plants for a shaded flower bed in OK City
May 29, 2011
Here in Oklahoma City we have a flower bed west of our house, shaded all day by the house next door except for 2-3 hours of direct sun from the west. I have struggled with what bushes to plant there....
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Evergreen Deck Plant for Oregon
May 29, 2011
Need evergreen shrub to grow in shade in container 5ft tall for deck.
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Native grass for sandy soil and shade
May 27, 2011
We have a sandy soil and lots of shade. Is there a native grass that would do well under these conditions?
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topicquestion

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