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.
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Thursday - January 17, 2013
From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Shrubs
Title: Hedge shrub for shade in Jacksonville FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Looking for shrub or hedge ( no Azaleas please )to line front of house that is full time shade in Jacksonville Florida ( something different, on the lines of tropical if possible).ANSWER:
Whether we can come up with "on the line of" tropical depends on what shrubs native to Florida look tropical to you. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is committed to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which those plants grow naturally. The reason for this is that a plant in its native soil, climate and amount of rainfall will consume fewer scarce resources such as water, chemicals and back muscles.
Having said that, we will go to our Native Plant Database and, using the Combination Search, select Florida under State, "shrub" under Habit and "shade" under Light Requirement. The designation of "shade" is going to make it more difficult to find anything with impressive blooms and there will be few evergreen, but let's see what's out there:
Shrubs for Shade from Jacksonville FL:
Agarista populifolia (Florida hobblebush) - evergreen, more informantion and pictures from Floridata
Amelanchier arborea (Common serviceberry) - deciduous
Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea) - deciduous
Chiococca alba (West indian milkberry)- evergreen
Clethra alnifolia (Coastal sweet pepperbush) - deciduous
Cornus alternifolia (Alternateleaf dogwood)- deciduous
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea) -deciduous
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) - evergreen
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark)- deciduous
Rhus glabra (Smooth sumac) - deciduous
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) - evergreen
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry)- deciduous
Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf viburnum) - deciduous
Follow each plant link to our webpage on that plant to discover its expected height, bloom time and color, preferred soil, etc. You may have difficulty finding native plants in the large commercial nurseries in your area. In that case, go to our National Suppliers Directory and put your town and state or just your zip code in the "Enter Search Location" box. This will give you a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and consultants in your general area. All have contact information so you can find out if the plant you want is in stock.
From the Image Gallery
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March 10, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
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