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

Thursday - November 29, 2007
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Evergreen plants for shaded bed and removing bermuda grass.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants, I have two questions. First, the back of our house in Williamson County faces north. We have plant beds (about one foot wide and the length of the house) up against the back wall, and I would like some good evergreen plants to put in them. Since we don't have gutters, when it rains, the planters get substantial water. Varous colors and heights would be great. I already have Nandina in a couple of places and a Indian Hawthorne at one end. What else would be good in that kind of shady environment? Second, how do I get rid of the bermudagrass in the St. Augustine in my front lawn? Between that and some low-growing weed with tiny white flowers, I can't keep my lawn looking nice. Thanks for your help.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants recommends the following native evergreen plants (mostly shrubs or small trees) that do well in part shade (2 hours or more of sunshine per day):Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Nolina texana (Texas sacahuista)
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
The following are not evergreen, but do well in less than 2 hours of sun per day:
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow)
Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia) This plant remains evergreen in mild winters or the southern part of its range.
Several sedges are evergreen and will grow in part shade:
Carex planostachys (cedar sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
Now, for your "bermuda grass in the St. Augustine" question, someone asked us almost the identical question a couple of years ago and I refer you to the answer Mr. Smarty Plants gave for it.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native grasses or sedges for a border in Texas
August 12, 2011 - I am in the process of gradually replacing some of my landscaping in Dallas Texas with native Texas plants. Your website has been very helpful.
I now wish to replace a liriope border, which has cro...
view the full question and answer
Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012 - Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010 - What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
view the full question and answer
Deer-resistant, shade tolerant evergreens for privacy in Milford MI
April 12, 2010 - I'm looking for deer resistant evergreens that will be planted in the shade. I need the evergreens to hide an area I don't want to see from my home. Hence, they need to go tall. Can you give me a r...
view the full question and answer
Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants
August 15, 2008 - Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |