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

Wednesday - April 16, 2008
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Perennial phlox for partial shade
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am planting a butterfly garden in a plot that gets sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. I read that phlox does well in partial-shade areas, and was wondering which native, perennial phlox would be best.ANSWER:
There are approximately 50 plants of the genus Phlox in our Native Plant Database. Unfortunately, only seven of those are naturally distributed in Texas, and three of those are annuals. However, all are considered attractive to butterflies, and all are considered moist woodland plants, so they should do very well in Houston. We are going to list the annuals, as well, even though you asked for perennials. The annuals will reseed themselves if they're happy in their location, and will give you more variety in your selections.
ANNUALS
Phlox drummondii (annual phlox)
Phlox drummondii ssp. drummondii (annual phlox)
Phlox glabriflora (Rio Grande phlox)
PERENNIALS
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Phlox divaricata ssp. laphamii (Lapham's phlox) - Images of this plant
Phlox nivalis (trailing phlox)
When you are ready to begin your phlox garden, here is a list of Native Plant Suppliers for the Houston area.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC
April 07, 2010 - We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare?
view the full question and answer
Texas natives that are shade tolerant for Austin, TX
January 21, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am looking for Texas native plants that are shade tolerant....specifically agaves (How about the Century Agave and the Queen Victoria Agave?) and something to add a splash ...
view the full question and answer
Privacy shrub in part shade to shade in Austin
April 29, 2010 - Barbara Medford's July 1, 2008 reply regarding Little Emperor Japanese Blueberry Tree is exactly my experience with cherry laurel in partial sun/shaded area in Austin, Texas.
For 6 - 8' height si...
view the full question and answer
Groundcovers for Shade Under a Sweetgum
March 25, 2015 - I have 3 large sweetgum trees that produce so much shade each summer, and grass, even grass meant for shade, won't grow here. It's become a barren desert! I have English ivy but it only seems to gro...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control for shady slope in Kentucky backyard
August 28, 2013 - I live in northern Kentucky (near Cincinnati). I have an area in my backyard that has slope. It is next to an ash tree and is very shady. Water erosion has washed away the top soil and pretty much no...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |