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

Friday - July 08, 2016
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants for a moist, shady spot in central Texas
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking for a plant that will grow in almost full shade with plenty of moisture along a fence. We are looking at putting down some flagstone with possibly some moss growing in between, but we don't want it to take over the St. Augustine that is in the rest of the lawn. Thank you!ANSWER:
I guess that you are looking for plants that are relatively low-growing near the flagstones. If you go to our Native Plant Database page and click on Combination Search you can enter the parameters that suit your needs and get a list of species that may be suitable.
I have taken a few species from that listing that I know do well in central Texas. Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage), Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden columbine), Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana (Hinckley's golden columbine), Packera obovata (Golden groundsel), Scutellaria ovata (Heartleaf skullcap), Thelypteris kunthii (Wood fern), Carex amphibola (Creek sedge), Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage) and Ruellia humilis (Low wild petunia). These plants thrive in shady and moist sites.
Many of these species should be available at plant nurseries in your area. Examples are Barton Creek Nursery and the Natural Gardener in the Austin vicinity.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
January 03, 2013 - I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!
view the full question and answer
Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina
December 06, 2014 - I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover Planting in Shiro TX
July 09, 2015 - I have been collecting seeds from White Avens and Texas Sedge to use as ground covers. What is the optimal time to plant these seeds? We have been experiencing heavy rains in our area lately, so I am ...
view the full question and answer
Use of Turffalo in Possum Kingdom TX
June 27, 2013 - Hello, we will be building a retirement home in the hillside area of Possum Kingdom Lake which currently has cactus, cedar, and some live oaks. Our intention is to keep most of the 8 acres natural wi...
view the full question and answer
Plants for creek bank in North Carolina
April 29, 2011 - I would like a list of plant options to plant on an almost vertical creek bank in some location in Charlotte, NC. The creek runs through a 300 acre basin, maybe 3 or 4' high banks and I have never se...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |