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
Tuesday - June 12, 2007
From: Mineral wells, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Variety of native tall plants for a screen in shady area near Ft. Worth
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello, we live west of Ft Worth. We are looking for tall plants to form a visual screen along a chain link fence we share with a neighbor. We have post oaks there and it is very shady and the ground is sandy and sloping. Our neighbor has planted eleagnus along her side but it is only a few feet tall. The fence line is about 100 feet long and we would like a variety of native plants 6 to 10 foot tall. Can you suggest anything?ANSWER:
Here are a variety of native shrubs or small trees from your area that fit your criteria:Evergreens
Deciduous
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood)
Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree)
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican buckeye)
Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native vine for shade on west side in Texas
July 21, 2008 - I have just put in a trellis to cover the west side of my house for shade. What would be the best native vine to put their for quick growth. I plan on putting a rose (Fortunia) but can't do that till...
view the full question and answer
Need mowable ground cover for shady area under trees in Lake Charles, LA.
July 12, 2010 - I live in Southwest Louisiana. I have a large portion of my back yard that is very shady because I have large trees in the yard. The area dries up fairly quickly after a heavy rain, so it isn't extre...
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant evergreens for privacy shield in Louisville KY
March 10, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Our property is adjacent to the highway for ~ 200ft. I'm looking for partial-to-full shade tolerant evergreens that will grow to be relatively tall. Our soil is clay and g...
view the full question and answer
Necessary sun exposure for Eves Necklace
November 12, 2008 - How little sun can the tree Eve's Necklace receive and still be happy and healthy? I have an intended spot that gets about 3, maybe 4 hours, some of that will be hot afternoon sun in the summer.
Th...
view the full question and answer
Competition between Horseherb and Chickweed
July 04, 2014 - Ok, sorry I did it wrong the 1st time!? I live in Houston, and I have chickens! I also have mass amounts of Horseherb, and I want to buy some chickweed seeds and plant it for my chickens! My question ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
