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

Friday - April 16, 2010
From: Huntley, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Plants for a shady spot in Illinois
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I live in a new development in Huntley, IL. I am looking for native trees, shrubs, plants and/or flowers to plant on the North side of my house. Fairly shaded. Hopefully something attractive and colorful?? Maybe some different plants to bloom at different times of the year? I like the idea of arborvitae's and maybe forsythia's with some ground evergreens and flowers??? Any ideas?ANSWER:
This looks like a fun project even though you are describing a situation that can be quite elusive for most gardeners (attractive and colorful with blooms throughout the season).
It's not impossible, though, and you will be able to devise your own scheme using our Native Plant Database . You can do a Combination Search for Illinois and then select the conditions (shade/part shade and wet/dry?) for shrubs, perennials and so on. You can narrow down the search according to bloom time and color.
For instance, when I selected shade/part shade, moist soil, shrubs and white flowers, blooming in June, a list of 37 plants is generated. Each plant on the list is linked to a detailed plant information page.
A few that I like from that list are:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick) (this is a ground cover)
Cornus alternifolia (alternateleaf dogwood)
Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea)
When selecting the same conditions but perennials (herbs) that bloom blue in August & September, there are 16 to choose from.
Gentianopsis crinita (greater fringed gentian)
Iris versicolor (harlequin blueflag)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
And so on ... you can do a number of searches for the various plant types and bloom color/time. Ultimately, your choices will be limited by the plants you can find in the nurseries in your area (and the fact that you won't really find any yellow flowering plants ... generally, sunny colored flowers like full sun!). I'm sure you'll quickly get the hang of it and will soon have a lengthy wish list and a great garden plan.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Fast growing shade trees safe for livestock in pasture in Nashville GA
May 13, 2010 - I would like a list of fast growing shade trees that are safe for cows and horses in a pasture.
view the full question and answer
Growing non-vascular moss as a lawn from Seattle WA
July 27, 2013 - I have lots of moss in my back yard. How can I encourage it to grow over the whole yard?
view the full question and answer
What will grow under neighbor's overhanging tree in Grosse Pointe Woods MI
May 29, 2011 - My next door neighbor has a beautiful tree that is easily 60 years old and thus not going anywhere. Unfortunately, for me the roots of this tree have extended under a large corner of my back yard. Add...
view the full question and answer
Native ground covers for rocky, shady slope in Arlington, TX
January 25, 2009 - I need a good native ground cover for a completely shaded and rocky 30 degree slope with red sandy soil and southern exposure. Will anything grow in these conditions?
view the full question and answer
Container plant for shade in Austin
August 07, 2010 - I am very new to gardening (have already killed two plants on my front entryway), and I looking for a couple recommendations for for a potted plant that I can place on my entryway porch. It is shaded...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |