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
Wednesday - March 18, 2009
From: La Verne, CA
Region: California
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Native shade plants around fountain in California
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Hi, we just put a fountain in our front yard. It is in a mostly shady area. I need to know what plants would go best around the fountain and survive in the shade.ANSWER:
We recently answered a similar question, also from California, in which they were having difficulty finding flowers that would endure the splashing of water from the fountain. Only two of them, the Iris missouriensis and the Spiraea splendens specified sun (more than 6 hours of sun a day) and the rest all will do well in sun, part shade (2 t 6 hours of sun a day) and shade (less than 2 hours of sun a day), as well as moist soil. If your bed extends out of the shade, or has sunshine at different times of the day, these would all fit your purposes.
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Iris missouriensis (Rocky Mountain iris)
Aruncus dioicus (bride's feathers)
Equisetum arvense (field horsetail)
Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)
Hesperochiron pumilus (dwarf hesperochiron)
SHRUBS
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native grasses for shady yard in Austin
September 04, 2011 - I was looking at your research on native grasses to be used in a yard. I want to plant your native mix of seeds, but worry that there is too much shade in my yard. I live in central Austin and wante...
view the full question and answer
Foundation Landscape Tree Suggestion for New Jersey
March 05, 2013 - I need to replace a shrub (boxwood) in a landscaped area directly in front of my house. I would like a tree that grows about 10-15' maximum. However, I have a drainpipe that runs from the house to th...
view the full question and answer
Need a recommendation for a fast growing shade tree near Gettysburg PA
October 08, 2009 - I am looking to plant a fast growing shade tree with non-invasive roots. I live in south central Pennsylvania just north of Gettysburg PA.
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep slope in shade in Iowa
July 02, 2010 - I work for a small non-profit shelter here in Dubuque, Ia. that has a very steep slope behind the building that needs some sort of plant or grass planted to stop erosion. The slope gets little to no s...
view the full question and answer
Low plants for shady, damp area in Roanoke, TX
November 13, 2008 - First, thanks for answering my first question about Texas Native Trees for our new home! I have just started working on plans for our back yard and have a question about Texas Native Shade plants. W...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
