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
Saturday - July 01, 2006
From: Chicago, IL
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Green roof plants tolerating shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am researching extensive greenroof plants for a potential site in Austin. The roof surface is shaded for most days of the the year. Are there any top choices for plants for this condition?ANSWER:
it is unusual to have a roof that will be shaded most of the year. The plants recommended for green roofs are generally ones that do well in full sun or part shade. You can see a list of the plants being tested for extensive greenroofs at the Wildflower Center by visiting our Green Roof Research page. Several of the plants being tested are recommended for part shade. These are:Winecup ( Callirhoe involucrata)
Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
Four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)
Barbara's buttons (Marshallia caespitosa)
Spice-Lily (Manfreda maculosa)
The following candidate species are not currently being tested, but they do grow well in the shade and have low water requirements:
Texas sedge (Carex texensis)
Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana)
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea)
Drummond's Wild Petunia (Ruellia drummondiana)
Pigeon berry (Rivina humilis)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Understory Shrubs for Pennsylvania Clay
December 04, 2013 - I want to replace three non-native Euonymus alatus with native shrubs that will serve as host plants for butterfly/moth species and/or attract bumblebees and other native bees. The shrubs I have are ...
view the full question and answer
Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants
August 15, 2008 - Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming?
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing shade tree for Central Texas
July 04, 2009 - What is the best fastest growing shade tree for central Texas? Thanks
view the full question and answer
Erosion control on partially shaded slope
November 27, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a...
view the full question and answer
Plant for part sun in Nampa Idaho
May 20, 2010 - What could I plant in arid SW Idaho on the northwest side of my house along a border against the house? Most of the day this area is in shade, but at the hottest time of the day it gets a couple of h...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |