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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - April 16, 2007
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Deer resistant, shade tolerant plants for Austin, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for plants to put in my front yard--very shaded, and need to be deer resistant. I would love some things in the blue family. Also want blues in my back yard that is a combination of full sun and some areas would be under oak trees.ANSWER:
Although no plants can be considered to be deer proof, there are some that are deer resistant. This doesn't mean that in times of stress the deer won't find those deer resistant plants tasty as well. Many of those plants in the mint family (Family Lamianceae) such as the Salvia spp. and Stachys coccinea tend to be deer resistant since they usually are rather aromatic. Other plants not in the mint family also are deer resistant. Luckily, there are several choices for ones with blue flowers that do well in partial shade and ones that do well in mostly sun. Shade plants with blue flowers:
Salvia engelmannii (Engelmann's sage)
Shade plants with flowers other than blue:
Salvia roemeriana (cedar sage)
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)
Tetraneuris scaposa (four-nerve daisy)
Stachys coccinea (scarlet hedgenettle)
Sun plants with blue flowers:
Salvia farinacea (mealycup sage)
Sun plants with flowers other than blue:
Lantana urticoides (West Indian shrubverbena)
Chrysactinia mexicana (damianita)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Need plants to shade on a west-facing wall in Houston, TX
April 28, 2010 - What plants are best to provide shade on a west facing wall in Houston. I am looking for plants that help to cool the house.
view the full question and 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 the full question and 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 the full question and answer
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 the full question and answer
Shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses for shade in North Central Texas
March 19, 2010 - Updated (2009-10) information about shrubs / ground cover /grasses recommended for North Central Texas - Complete back yard re-landscaping under a lot of trees, shady areas, regular bermuda, St Augus...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |