Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
3 ratings

Thursday - July 01, 2010

From: Irving, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Shade Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Shade loving plants with color for Irving, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Looking for shade loving perennials or annuals with color - native and low water. Live in Irving, Texas.

ANSWER:

Please visit our Texas-North Central Recommended list to find commercially available plants suitable for landscaping in the Irving, Texas area.   You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to select your criteria ('Herb' or 'Shrub' from GENERAL APPEARANCE, 'Shade...' from LIGHT REQUIREMENT and 'Dry...' from SOIL MOISTURE).  Depending on how much sunlight the area receives, you might be able to select 'Part shade - 2 to 6 hrs' (of sun per day) as well as 'Shade - 2 hrs or less' (of sun per day).  Here are a few possibilities, but you can search for more:

Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)

Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)

Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Wright's desert honeysuckle)

Salvia regla (mountain sage)

Here are photos from our Image Gallery:


Aquilegia canadensis

Rudbeckia hirta

Asclepias tuberosa

Echinacea purpurea

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii

Salvia regla

 

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Soil Loosener/Pollinator Plants for Houston
August 11, 2014 - I am trying to establish a mostly-native pollinator way-station in a recently purchased lot in a 100 year old neighborhood in Houston. Much of the property has a thick layer of oyster shell four to si...
view the full question and answer

Mercer Society of Harris County Plant Sale from The Woodlands, TX
March 15, 2011 - Love the Name! Anyway, the Mercer Society of Harris County will be having its annual plant sale late this month and as usual I will be attending. I'm trying to find some tropicals and sub-tropicals...
view the full question and answer

Perennials for mountain cabin in Southern California
July 26, 2010 - We have a mountain cabin at 7,000ft elevation in S. California. Please recommend native perennials. Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Privacy screen from Temecula CA
May 04, 2013 - I live in Temecula and need a fast growing tree by our pool that is good to block neighbors house.
view the full question and answer

Horsetail Rush invasive in Santa Monica CA
January 16, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants: I live about 3 miles from the beach in the Santa Monica area and have an 18inch deep planter area in my backyard that is adjacent to my garage. I like the look of horsetail rush. I...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.