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

Sunday - April 24, 2011
From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Year-round ground cover for sun/shade
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
Looking for a native ground cover for shade and middle afternoon/evening sun. Would like it to cover all year. I planted aguga and it froze. I have two large beds (I used about 70 4in plants for each bed). Any suggestions? Thank you for your time and knowledge.ANSWER:
There are quite a few possible choices that should fit your needs. I will start with a few that grow only a few inches high. Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage) is rather similar to ajuga and evergreen. Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) has tiny yellow flowers and, although rather invasive, can be controlled. Both of the above plants can survive mowing.
If your beds are rather dry, consider Sedum nanifolium (Dwarf stonecrop) and/or Lenophyllum texanum (Coastal stonecrop). These form showy flowers in spring but should remain light green throughout the year. Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) has striking silver gray leaves year round.
If you prefer your ground cover to be 1-3 ft high consider Quincula lobata (Purple groundcherry) or Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia). A related wild petunia, Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's ruellia) ,is taller than R. nudiflora. Salvia roemeriana (Cedar sage) produces showy crimson flowers in spring. Two grasses, Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) and Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye or canada wild rye) produce attractive flowering stalks which remain erect (but dry) in winter.
It might be a good idea to test several of these to determine which thrive best in your particular situation.
Click on the highlighted plant names for more information on their cultivation. Images of the plants are shown below.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Groundcover for rock garden under large oak
October 02, 2012 - I am planning a small rock garden under a large oak tree. I would like a spreading evergreen ground cover that will grow in the shade. Drought-tolerant would be preferred as I live in the high plains...
view the full question and answer
Plants to grow under pine trees in Riverside, CA
October 15, 2014 - Please tell me what plants would do well under pine trees in somewhat moist soil in Riverside, Ca. Also, I would prefer perennials that are easy to weed. (I currently have violets which are overrun wi...
view the full question and answer
Replacing mature Arizona Ash trees in Austin
August 26, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have 2 very large, very old Arizona Ash trees in my yard. I want to remove them and replace them with something like Cedar Elm or Chinquapin Oak. The problem is that they are t...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for shade in Dallas
November 30, 2008 - What native grasses can be grown under large Live Oaks in the Dallas Area? The combination of shade and black gumbo soil seem to keep all plant life, except for poison ivy and ferns, out. I would lo...
view the full question and answer
Plants Needed for a Shaded, Rocky Slope in Alabama
July 06, 2016 - I live in Alabama where the soil is clay and rocky. I've tried planting on a rocky slope I have but, it's also shaded. Not even Juniper will survive on this slope. I've spent thousands of dollars tryi...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |