Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Tree as shade alternative to carport in Austin April 21, 2010 Hello, I'm looking for a small tree that could provide afternoon shade for two cars, as an alternative to a carport. When mature, the tree would need to be tall enough to grow around (and above) the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub or small tree for dappled shade in San Antonio April 18, 2010 I'm looking for an attractive bush or small tree that will grow in dry, dappled shade. I'd prefer one that does not form fruit-I don't want the neighborhood skunks visiting my yard.(My dog has been... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a shady spot in Illinois April 16, 2010 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 co... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant, shade tolerant evergreens for privacy in Milford MI April 12, 2010 I'm looking for deer resistant evergreens that will be planted in the shade. I need the evergreens to hide an area I don't want to see from my home. Hence, they need to go tall. Can you give me a r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Arborvitae thinning in Bucks County, PA April 09, 2010 My arborvitae trees are about 11 ft. tall. I had them put in about 3 years ago. They were 8 to 10 ft. when planted. After the first year, I have noticed they are thinning to the point where you can se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for erosion of shaded slope in Bethesda MD April 07, 2010 I have an eastern facing heavily shaded slope in Bethesda, Md. that needs a few good native plants to keep it from eroding. Ferns are not doing well on it. They do much better in the flats. So, anythi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC April 07, 2010 We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowering vine for trellis in shade in Henrico, VA April 07, 2010 I live in Henrico, Virginia and have a trellis in a shady area. I am looking for a native vine to grow, preferably one that flowers and attracts birds and/or butterflies. What do you advise? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Philadelphus ernestii under live oak in Pflugerville TX April 05, 2010 Will Philadelphus ernestii thrive in the root zone of live oak, or would the oak inhibit its growth? I'd like to plant it just at the edge of the canopy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shade in Northern California March 30, 2010 What are good plants that grow and live in shade only? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowers for sunny and shady gardens in Cedar Hill TX March 30, 2010 Last year I spent way too much on flowers for my sunny and shady flower beds. They all died from the heat, even after constant watering. What flowers could I plant in sunny and shady flower beds that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Natives for a raised, part-shade bed in Pearland TX March 29, 2010 I have a couple of raised beds that I want to plant a few shrubs (3 feet tall), perennials, and annuals. I want all the plants to be native to Texas. The only problem is that I am not plant knowledgea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Resistant part shade plants for Austin: March 28, 2010 What evergreen shrubs would you recommend for a partly-shaded area, next to a wall, which can be trimmed to keep their shape and height (for symmetry)..this is for a front gate to a community, so we n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Austin Shade Plants for Pots March 28, 2010 I live in a condo in Austin Texas so I don't have any flower beds or yard space. I would like to put a few large pots of plants and flowers on my front patio but it's mostly shaded during the day. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grasses that are shade tolerant for Central Texas March 26, 2010 I recently purchased acreage in Henly (Dripping Springs area). The property has a large stand of big Live Oaks, Black Jack Oaks and Cedar Elm trees. The area has not been grazed for several years an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs or ground cover for north-facing landscape in Ft. Worth March 23, 2010 Need native plant ideas for a landscaping bed against the house facing north. Already has 1 Beautyberry but two others died of root rot last year due to incredibly high water table in our area. Old ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small, drought and shade-tolerant perennials for Austin, Texas March 22, 2010 We need suggestions for small, drought- and shade-tolerant perennials to be planted in Austin, Texas, please. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs and other plants for shady area in Austin March 22, 2010 I am looking for what kind of shrubs, plants that I can plant under my very shady oak trees in South Austin. Soil is good, I want to have some lushness under my trees instead of dirt, I have a small a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses for shade in North Central Texas March 19, 2010 Updated (2009-10) information about shrubs / ground cover /grasses recommended for North Central Texas - Complete back yard re-landscaping under a lot of trees, shady areas, regular bermuda, St Augus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small shrub for shady area March 06, 2010 I would like to find a shrub to plant on the north, northeast side of my house, but it will be in mostly shade. It needs to get between 21/2' to 4' tall. Do you have any suggestions please? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screen plants for part shade in Smithville, TX February 23, 2010 Thank you very much for your reply to my question about planting bamboo. I had no idea it was so invasive. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for me. My goal is to provide a soft an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for a shady porch in Oregon February 22, 2010 My husband and I just bought our first home this fall in St. Johns, Portland. We would like to grow a vine on our front porch, but it is in full shade. It faces north east. We planted some jasmine vin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a mixed border in Houston February 22, 2010 I live in Houston and have a flowerbed I'd like to fill with plants that will look good year-round. The back is already lined with 6-foot shrubs so nothing like that. I'd like something with colorf... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Prairie wattle for woodland area in Austin November 29, 2009 Can prairie wattle be grown in a woodland area? It would get part shade, with full sun for at least half a day. The soil is a bit rocky; location is Austin. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wax myrtle or cherry laurel in Austin? November 15, 2009 For a very shady area under a large old oak tree with oak toxic soil, would a Wax Myrtle or a Cherry Laurel (caroliniana) be better? Looking for an evergreen screening tree up to 20ft, but it only get... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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