Native Plants
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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.
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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
Grasses for yard in part shade and shade
January 11, 2009 - I have a shady yard with no grass whatsoever in San Marcos, TX. Since there are no roots to anchor the soil, the air (and the house) is full of dust. I want to plant a native grass that does well in f...
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Ornamental shade grasses for Dover AR
April 16, 2011 - Ornamental shade grasses for sandy soil or silt, part shade, or even vines.
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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 ...
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Reseeding a dead lawn in Wimberley TX
February 07, 2012 - Our new house had a sodded lawn that now appears dead. There remains a layer of sandy soil as a part of the sodding process. Is there a way to reseed these existing slabs of sod and what process wo...
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Screening bush for shady area
June 05, 2008 - I need some kind of bush that will act as an air conditioning blind. So far the deer have eaten or destroyed everything planted in the very shady mulch bed. What do you recommend?
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