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 - January 28, 2009
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Evergreen plants for shaded fence in Arizona
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need to place a fence around my front yard (4-5 ft tall), in Arizona. What evergreen flower/plant can you recommend that would grow on this fence? (it would only get about 2-4 hours of sun daily and has very poor soil, but can be watered)ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants has been able to find quite a few candidates for evergreen plants (mostly shrubs) that will grow along your fence in part shade (2 to 6 hours sun per day):Bouvardia ternifolia (firecrackerbush)
Ceanothus fendleri (Fendler's ceanothus) and here are photos from Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.
Chamaebatiaria millefolium (desert sweet) is semi-evergreen and here are photos from Utah State University
and CalPhotos.
Fallugia paradoxa (Apache plume) is another semi-evergreen plant.
Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo)
Fremontodendron californicum (California flannelbush) and here are photos and information from Virginia Tech.
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush)
Mahonia haematocarpa (red barberry) with information and photos from Virginia Tech.
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry)
Nolina microcarpa (sacahuista) with more information from the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.
Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) and more photos and information from University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.
As far as I can discover, there are no evergreen vines native to Arizona. You can see the vines that are native there by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH on our Native Plant Database and selecting 'Arizona' from the "Select State or Province" category and 'Vine' from the "Habit (general appearance)" category.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Plants for shade
August 19, 2008 - I live in hot, humid Houston and the tree coverage of my yard is nearly 100 percent (so, little sunlight reaches the ground). Can you suggest a plant or two that would thrive in these conditions?
view the full question and answer
Plants for shade in Texas
September 14, 2008 - I am looking for shade tolerant shrubs to plant near our carport. We live in Plum Grove, near Splendora, Texas.
I don't want anything with thorns that will scratch the paint or me while getting i...
view the full question and answer
Where to find Horseherb seed
August 02, 2015 - I would like to purchase some Horseherb seeds. Can you tell me where I can do that? Either locally or on line.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Native vine for shade on west side in Texas
July 21, 2008 - I have just put in a trellis to cover the west side of my house for shade. What would be the best native vine to put their for quick growth. I plan on putting a rose (Fortunia) but can't do that till...
view the full question and answer
Wildlife garden for Austin
May 19, 2013 - I am trying to make my backyard more wildlife friendly. I have pecan trees for the canopy and some understory shrub/trees like rough leaf dogwood and redbud. I am having a really hard time finding sui...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |