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.
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?
Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Carex as a shady turf alternative in Austin November 10, 2009 I just read your answer to Barbara Medford's question about what multi-species native grasses would work to create a shady lawn. While you had some wonderful suggestions you mention a homeowner's as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for shade in Paris, Texas November 02, 2009 I have a south exposure with 2 large sycamore trees. Noon sun in patches and mainly dappled shade but not dense. I'm consideering planting asian ivy. The soil is "sandy loam" but it's very sand... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a shade tree in a limited space in Louisville, GA October 29, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants, Hello! What kind of tree would be good to shade, in a limited space, and having a taproot? This is in middle Ga. One side of yard has main water pipe coming in off the road and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade tree for horses in North Virginia October 16, 2009 I need to plant a shade tree for my horses and am considering a fast growing tree called an Empress Tree(paulownia). It would be outside of their fenced area but close enough to provide shade for the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a recommendation for a fast growing shade tree near Gettysburg PA October 08, 2009 I am looking to plant a fast growing shade tree with non-invasive roots. I live in south central Pennsylvania just north of Gettysburg PA. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for narrow moist shade in Dallas October 05, 2009 We are looking for plants in a narrow strip next to our house. It is a shady area that holds a lot of water. We would love plants that would help take water out of the soil. Do you have any suggest... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should Solanum eleagnifolium, silverleaf nightshade, be removed from yard October 01, 2009 I live in Upstate NY. I'm quite sure, after checking many sites/pictures, that I have a couple specimens of Silver Leaf Night Shade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) growing in the "wild" portion of my side... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hibiscus to grow in partial shade in North Carolina September 25, 2009 What variety of hibiscus can I plant in Lexington, NC? Are there any variaties that tolerate partial shade? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grasses for shade for Austin September 21, 2009 I just read with interest your article on multi-species native lawns. However, I believe the suggested grasses don't grow well in the shade, is this true. Are there any suggestions for native (mult... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing evergreen shade shrub for Lincoln NH September 14, 2009 I need a fast-growing, shade loving evergreen shrub that will give us privacy and grow in and around some White Pines whose branches were pruned to 4 - 6 ft above the ground. The house is in Lincoln ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for part shade/shade in Oklahoma. September 14, 2009 I am looking for perennial ground covers for shade to part shade under red oaks in central Oklahoma. Soil condition is usually dry. Can you recommend some natives in addition to creeper for xeriscape?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade tree for cemetery in Wilmington DE September 13, 2009 We are looking for a shade tree for a cemetery in Delaware. The tree will be planted only a few feet from some existing gravesites. What trees would you recommend that will not interfere with the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering shrub for part shade in Southern California September 10, 2009 What shrubs would be able to flourish in morning shade but deal with afternoon sun and 90 plus degrees in the summer months in Southern California? I would like a shrub that is about 5 ft. tall and 3 ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need help with stabilizing a partial shaded slope in Prince George's County, MD. September 08, 2009 I have a partial shade sloped area about 40 ft. x 100ft; that is at the top of a natural drainage. Slope is maybe 10%. There is a thin layer of topsoil on top of a heavier clay layer (it was pasture... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Colorful native plants for oak tree shade in Houston August 26, 2009 I live in Houston Tx - our subdivision entrance has many oak trees. We cannot find anything that will "stay alive" around these trees. It is mostly shady, but gets a slight bit of sunlight. we wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Butterfly garden plants for partial shade in Georgia August 14, 2009 I have a patio that is brick with 2 small areas for planting. The area has partial shade and soil is moist and looks dense. Currently there is an Ivy Bush in the back left corner which I like and ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for shade in North-Central Georgia August 07, 2009 I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees not invasive to foundations and driveways August 02, 2009 I am in zone 9. What shade trees can I plant that will not be invasive to foundations or driveways? Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees with a tap root July 31, 2009 I need a list of shade trees with a tap root system. I would also like the tree to grow at a medium to fast rate. I will be planting near a concrete wall and do not want the roots to do any damage to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What plant grows in extremely hot Texas weather in the shade in Dallas Texas? July 30, 2009 What plant grows in extremely hot Texas weather in the shade? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing shade tree for Central Texas July 04, 2009 What is the best fastest growing shade tree for central Texas? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting shade plants in 100+ weather June 25, 2009 I was planning on planting some columbines in a barrel and Turk's Cap and Coralberry in my yard, but hadn't counted on the extreme heat this early in the summer. Is it okay to plant these things as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ivy for shady wall in New York June 25, 2009 I live in Melville, New York. The house is adjacent to the Long Island Expressway and there is a cement sound barrier wall about 25 feet high that runs along the backyard of my 1 acre property. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade groundcover under Magnolia in Austin, Texas June 25, 2009 I have a 50' Magnolia grandiflora casting full shade underneath with very shallow and some exposed roots. I have Horseherb (calyptocarpus vialis)in the area and have been encouraging it to spread und... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native ground cover for part shade in Dowagiac MI June 24, 2009 Maybe I'm just too picky. I'm trying to make an area that is some what triangular shaped between my house and garage with a tall lattice/privacy fence on one side and walks in the back yard area on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardy plant with minimal care for shade in dry soil June 22, 2009 I have a weekend house in Hawley, PA where I try to garden - often with poor results. There is a spot on the northeast corner of my foundation where I have put plant after plant - but none of them su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a shady garden in Wisconsin June 22, 2009 I have a shady garden in southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee) and am interested in introducing more native plants of all sizes and heights, hopefully with lovely flowers. I would love to know what you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for a shady yard in Orange City, FL June 21, 2009 Hello, I am trying to plant wildflowers in my tree-shaded backyard that will not only kill the existing grass, but will also withstand the winter freezes in central Florida. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade plants for a childrens garden in Magnolia, TX June 21, 2009 What shade plants would be good to plant in a Children's garden at a learning center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants in shade in Enville TN June 15, 2009 I have a flower bed against the back of my house with nothing in it. We moved into this house late last year and I was planning on planting some tomato plants there until I discovered it never gets an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for high canal bank in Florida May 27, 2009 My home is on a canal to a natural lake in Central Florida (Orlando area). I am wondering if there is a wildflower that I can grow on a 3' high canal bank that is mostly shady. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering plants for shade in St. Augustine FL May 25, 2009 I would like to know what flowering plants I can purchase that grow in a shaded area in St Augustine Florida View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What are the best deep shade plants for San Antonio? May 20, 2009 What are the best deep shade plants for San Antonio? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for shade in Arizona. May 15, 2009 Please suggest plants that I can plant in a shaded area. I live in Glendale, Arizona. The shade will be 100% of the time. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shade trees for Austin May 15, 2009 I am building a new home that does not have any trees close by-- I want to have several shade trees to increase the efficiency of my home. What are your suggestions for an easy care, fast-growing, an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native trees for shade in Burbank, CA May 13, 2009 I need a few ideas for a non-deciduous (or nearly non-deciduous)tree that grows fast and will provide shade. Shade need not be total. Chinese Elms come to mind but I'm not sure of the growth rate. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for shaded sandy soil in Long Island, NY May 12, 2009 I live on the north fork of Long Island (Zone 7) I would like to find a grass or low ground cover that will grow in shaded sandy soil. The yard has quite a few trees. It also has to stand up to modera... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade and Rain Garden in South Carolina May 08, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have two seperate but important questions for your mastery of native plant knowledge. First, I live in a thick, 112 ft. tall white oak forest. Therefore, there is lot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York May 05, 2009 We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shad... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shade-loving container plant for Austin May 02, 2009 What is a good plant that works well in a container, is shade-loving and produces some blooms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dwarf native plants for shade in Burlington, MA May 02, 2009 Hi, I removed all of the evergreen shrubs in front of my house in Zone 6. It is in full shade all summer but has some sun during the spring because of a huge beech tree in front yard. there is 2 8'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub for shade in Rockford IL April 29, 2009 I live in Rockford, IL and would like to know what kind of bush to plant in pretty much, full shade. I would prefer to stay away from evergreens due to allergies. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Foundation garden in shade in Durham, NC April 29, 2009 I'm trying to replant a 3'x8' garden near the foundation of our house in Durham, NC. This part of the yard gets little, if any, sun and is mostly clay. I've tried adding compost and soil conditi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant privacy fence for shade in Hill Country April 28, 2009 I am looking for a shrub to plant along a privacy fence that gets 8+ feet tall, fast growing, preferably native, deer resistant, and can tolerate mostly shade. I reside in the Hill Country area. Tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrub for part shade in Austin April 16, 2009 I live in SE Austin (Dove Springs area). I have a 3' by 3' area near my front door. It gets morning sun, but not the entire morning because of the tall tree in my front yard. By 11 o'clock or noon,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge for Austin April 09, 2009 Hi. I live in West Austin and am having trouble finding plants for our heavily shaded yard (thanks to our beautiful large live oaks). I love glossy, dark green leaves and big flowers. I love the came... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant shade plants for Southern Texas April 03, 2009 Looking for low shrubs and flowers that will grow in full shade and that would be mostly deer resistant. North facing front of our house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What will grow under a California Pepper tree? April 03, 2009 What will grow under a California Pepper tree with a shady area oak tree nearby in a coastal community? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-toxic shade trees for horses in Florida April 01, 2009 Looking for non poisonous shade trees for pasture with horses. Would prefer flowering or something that changes color. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy hedge for shady area March 27, 2009 We are looking to plant a privacy hedge around the perimeter of our yard that will grow to 6 or 8 feet tall - some of the perimeter is exposed to sun and we will likely go with evergreen sumac - howev... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |