Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

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

Tuesday - March 27, 2007

From: Weatherford, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Plants for shady courtyard classroom garden in Weatherford, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am wanting to create an outdoor classroom area in the courtyard of my school. The courtyard is enclosed by all four sides and the building is two stories high. It does not receive much sunlight. Most of the ground is covered with pavers but long narrow pockets of earth were left unpaved. I would like to incorporate native plants in those areas, and habitats but I am concerned because there is little sunlight and do not have resources for experimentation. I do not have a green thumb but love the outdoors, especially conservation and natives. Thank you!

ANSWER:

Here are a few suggestions for plants native to Parker County, Texas that will tolerate at least partial shade:

 

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES:

Chasmanthium latifolium (Indian woodoats)

Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)

 

LOW, GROUNDCOVER-TYPE PLANTS:

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit or frogfruit)

Geum canadense (white avens)

Viola sororia (common blue violet)

 

TALLER HERBACEOUS PLANTS:

Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea)

Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)

Coreopsis tinctoria (golden tickseed)

Solidago gigantea (giant goldenrod)

Teucrium canadense (Canada germander)

 

VINE:

Passiflora lutea (yellow passionflower)

 

SHRUB/SMALL TREE:

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood)

 


Elymus canadensis

Phyla nodiflora

Geum canadense

Viola sororia

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Conoclinium coelestinum

Coreopsis tinctoria

Solidago gigantea

Teucrium canadense

Passiflora lutea

Cornus drummondii

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

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...
view the full question and answer

Vine to cover fence from Haverhill MA
April 17, 2014 - Hello, I'm looking for a fast growing vine to cover a chain link fence. The area is sunny half of the day. I have 2 small children so I don't want something that attracts bees or could be dangerous ...
view the full question and answer

Plants for water park
January 03, 2013 - Hi, I usually have no problem locating the right species for a given situation, but I may need some advice for this. I am looking for plants -- from annual & perennial flowers to shrubs and small t...
view the full question and answer

Selection of shade tree and distance from house
February 19, 2008 - I live in California in zone 8b. I have seen the lists of trees for my area. I am still not clear on what tree to select. I would like to plant a nice tall shady tree very close to my house, but I wan...
view the full question and answer

Ground cover for Dallas in shade and partial shade
June 02, 2010 - What ground cover plants will grow in full shade- partial shade in the clay soil of Dallas?
view the full question and answer

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