Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - June 11, 2008

From: Arlington, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Large shrub for screen in shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and creek beyond the fence.

ANSWER:

Below are several large shrubs/small trees that should work well for a screening shrub in Tarrant County, Texas.

Note: shade = <2 hours of sun/day and part shade = 2-6 hours of sun/day

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood) part shade, shade

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) evergreen—sun, part shade

Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) evergreen—sun, part shade

Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) part shade

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) part shade

Ilex decidua (possumhaw) sun, part shade

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) evergreen—part shade

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) evergreen—sun, part shade

Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree) sun, part shade, shade

Rhus glabra (smooth sumac) sun, part shade, shade

Rhus lanceolata (prairie sumac) sun, part shade

Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw) part shade


Cornus drummondii

Morella cerifera

Mahonia trifoliolata

Callicarpa americana

Frangula caroliniana

Ilex decidua

Ilex vomitoria

Leucophyllum frutescens

Ptelea trifoliata

Rhus glabra

Rhus lanceolata

Viburnum rufidulum

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Plants for narrow planter boxes in San Antonio
October 02, 2010 - We have a narrow flower planter box in three sections above a french drain in front of our house. The box is about 2 feet high (filled with Gardenville soil) above a french drain covered with filter ...
view the full question and answer

Non-Poisonous, Shade Tolerant Vine for Austin
February 01, 2011 - Hello, I live in northwest Austin and have a very shady wood fence I would like to cover and was thinking about a vine. I have a toddler and a dog so anything poisonous is out of the question. I woul...
view the full question and answer

Shade tree for El Paso, Texas
May 18, 2010 - hi there, I am looking to plant a shade tree in front of my house, about 10ft away from my house and about 6ft away from the sidewalk. I live in El Paso TX and I am afraid that the tree roots will int...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen Vine for San Antonio Trellis
November 23, 2011 - I have a new trellis at the end of my patio on which I want to grow an evergreen vine. The area is fairly shady. I had settled on Carolina Jasmine, but read that it is very toxic which is worrisome ...
view the full question and answer

Native plants with little sun and northern exposure for New York
April 26, 2006 - I live in a co-op and want to fix up the backyard. The backyard area has a west area to plant with a northern exposure and little sun and I am looking to plant something to cover the area. I would lik...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.