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

Saturday - March 06, 2010
From: Burkburnett, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Small shrub for shady area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to find a shrub to plant on the north, northeast side of my house, but it will be in mostly shade. It needs to get between 21/2' to 4' tall. Do you have any suggestions please?ANSWER:
These plants will all grow in part shade (2 to 6 hours sun per day) and some will grow in shade (less than 2 hours sun per day).
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Wright's desert honeysuckle) can be pruned to the size you desire.
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) can be pruned each winter to keep in your size range.
Chromolaena odorata (Jack in the bush) will die back to roots in hard winter.
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) will grow in shade, part shade and sun. There are dwarf varieties and it can be trimmed into a shrub of the desired size. Also, it is evergreen.
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) is evergreen and but it does have sharp spines on the end of its leaves.
Salvia regla (mountain sage) grows in shade and part shade and recommended to be pruned to encourage busy growth.
Glossopetalon planitierum (plains greasebush) grows in part shade and is low-growing.
Rhus microphylla (littleleaf sumac) grows in part shade, can be pruned and is fast-growing.
Zinnia grandiflora (Rocky Mountain zinnia) is very low-growing (6-8 inches) in part shade.
Here are some photos of the above from our Image Gallery:
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Hanging flowering plants in part shade in Denton, TX
September 18, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'd like to hang 4"-6" pots with flowering plants from north-facing eaves. That area gets an hour or so of late-morning/noon sun. Also, my apt. faces a large courtyard so...
view the full question and answer
Plants under Oak Trees in Austin TX
December 10, 2012 - Half of my small yard is in the shade of one big live oak and one kumquat. Nothing I plant grows in this shade. The other half of my yard gets sunlight. It is planted with Jasmine grass which grows w...
view the full question and answer
Is straggler daisy deer resistant from Austin
October 08, 2012 - Is straggler daisy (horseherb) deer resistant? We have lots of deer in our NW Hills, Austin neighborhood, and a lot of shade where not much will grow. Is that plant a good candidate for ground cover...
view the full question and answer
Low evergreen shrubs for shade in Spring TX
February 19, 2009 - I am looking for an evergreen plant that grows no taller than 2 feet and will grow in shade. I would love to have one that would also produce flowers. Please help and thanks.
view the full question and answer
Should Solanum eleagnifolium, silverleaf nightshade, be removed from yard
October 01, 2009 - I live in Upstate NY. I'm quite sure, after checking many sites/pictures, that I have a couple specimens of Silver Leaf Night Shade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) growing in the "wild" portion of my side...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |