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.
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.
rate this answer
Wednesday - September 30, 2015
From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Vines
Title: Plants for Georgetown with shade in the AM and sun in the PM
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I live in Georgetown and I would like a recommendation for plants (shrubs and flowering perennials) that can handle deep shade until 1 or 2 pm and then have full sun blasting them til sun down. They also have the reflected heat from the garage to contend with. Are there any vegetables that can handle this as well? Oh, and of course I have heavy clay soil that I amended and the beds were dug down 8 inches and raised 4inches. Thanks!ANSWER:
This is a challenging situation. Sun in the morning and shade later in the day is a bit easier to deal with, but here are a few possibilities.
Ageratina havanensis (Shrubby boneset)
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's cap or turkscap)
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo)
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy)
You might consider building an arbor or pergola for a sun-loving evergreen vine that could provide some sort of relief from the fierce summer sun. Here are suggestions for vines:
Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle)
Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine)
For the vegetables, since they are mostly non-native cultivars you should check with the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Sevice for suggestions. Our focus and expertise are with plants native to North America. Here is a link to their vegetable information.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Problems with Gregg's mistflower from Fredericksburg, TX
May 19, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Something is wilting the tops of my Gregg's mistflower, Conoclinium greggii. I cannot see bugs on the plant, so I am wondering if it's a disease. The problem is widespread to...
view the full question and answer
Native Plants for a Shaded Patio Container in Missouri
April 17, 2015 - What kind of native plants would grow well in a pot on a fully shaded patio? I live in Kansas City, Missouri. The patio faces north and doesn't get any direct sunlight, but it gets lots of indirect...
view the full question and answer
Leaf browning on blackfoot daisy in Arizona
August 26, 2008 - Blackfoot daisy plant was doing great; then, in one day, it turned brown like it had no water. Have a watering system in place which waters once a day for one hour 1/2 gallon a hour.
view the full question and answer
Plants that are deer resistant for high desert climate in Utah
January 23, 2008 - We are building in a high desert climate in Dammeron Valley, Utah. We want plants that are both deer resistant and require little watering. Can you advise which plants (shrubs, flowers, cacti) that ...
view the full question and answer
Fall care for Fan Scarlet lobelia in Rock Island IL
November 09, 2009 - What do I do with Scarlet Fan lobelia in the fall; do I cut it back or let it go as is?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |