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
Thursday - August 28, 2008
From: San Marcos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Native evergreen for shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I am looking for a plant that is evergreen (or semi evergreen), native to central Texas, and shade tolerant. This is for a Wildscape area in San Marcos. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!ANSWER:
Here are some evergreen and semi-evergreen plants that will tolerate part shade (2-6 hours of sunlight/day) and a few will tolerate shade (<2 hours of sunlight/day).Vines:
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade
Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) evergreen, sun and part shade
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade
Shrubs/Small Trees:
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) evergreen, sun and part shade
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) evergreen, part shade
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) evergreen, sun and part shade
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) evergreen, sun and part shade
Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) evergreen, sun and part shade
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) evergreen, sun and part shade
Herbaceous plants:
Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy) semi-evergreen, sun, part shade and shade
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade
Grasses and sedges:
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) evergreen, sun and part shade
Carex planostachys (cedar sedge) evergreen, part shade
There are several grasses that aren't evergreen, but they are still attractive when they begin to brown. For example:
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade and shade
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade and shade
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) sun and part shade
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Shade tree with non-aggressive roots for next to pool in The Woodlands TX
April 26, 2011 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants.
We live in Spring, TX and are looking for a full-sun shade tree to plant in a large planter (about 6'x6') next to our pool. We want the tree to provide shade for our full a...
view the full question and answer
Replacement for Love Grass in Michigan
July 27, 2015 - need a replacement for Love Grass at Shops of Willow Bend in Plano. The entire perimeter of this mall has Bermuda and Love Grass. The Elms and Oaks have grown so the Love Grass is mostly gone. Ther...
view the full question and answer
Variety of native tall plants for a screen in shady area near Ft. Worth
June 12, 2007 - 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 ...
view the full question and answer
Shade ground cover in San Antonio
May 18, 2008 - I would like to find plants, spreading ground or flowers, to go under my red tips. These plants would be in a lot shade and not a great deal of water.
view the full question and answer
Plant for total shade in Austin Texas
November 18, 2013 - Most of north wall of my house is in total shade. Is there a native that will grow there? The nonnative Cast Iron Plant is thriving and the soil is good. Your list of plants requiring 2 hours or less ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |