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 - October 02, 2011
From: cypress, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Shade Tolerant, Cacti and Succulents, Ferns, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Container plants for cool weather in Cypress TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am a novice gardener and I am looking for some ideas on potted plants for the fall/winter. They would be covered by a roof, but still susceptible to the elements. What can be planted now that will survive? I live in Cypress, TX.ANSWER:
Goody! We love novice gardeners, because we can help them get in the right track, which includes using native plants, contributing to conservation of resources. Read our How-To Article on A Guide to Native Plant Gardening. And, specifically for your purposes, also see our Container Gardening with Native Plants.
In that vein, we wish to point out that the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will recommend only plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow natively. Cypress, in Harris County, is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. Many of the plants considered appropriate for containers you will see for sale in nurseries are not native, and often are tropicals or sub-tropicals which would freeze in frosts like your area had last Winter. We really can't think of much that would provide blooming or color during the winter, particularly in a covered area with little or no sun. From experience, we will try to come up with some types of native plants that could thrive in pot culture.
There are a number of native succulents that can, surprisingly, tolerate quite a bit of shade. We consider "sun" to be 6 hours or more of sun a day, "part shade." 2 to 6 hours of sun and "shade" less than 2 hours. Keep an eye on the area you are planning to use for container plants and decide which parts of it will get how much sun, so you can decide from our suggestions what will have a good chance. Follow each plant link on our list below to the webpage on that plant for more information on what kind of soils those plants need, how much water, how much sunlight. A lot of succulents that are commonly sold are cacti or other prickly plants, not recommended if you have small children or pets that might get involved with the plants.
Succulents for a shady area in Cypress TX:
Echeveria strictiflora (Desert savior)
Manfreda maculosa (False aloe)
Manfreda variegata (Mottled tuberose)
Yucca pallida (Pale-leaf yucca)
Now for some ferns, which will, of course, not bloom at all, but we will choose evergreen ferns that will be attractive all year round.
Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern maidenhair fern)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)
Woodwardia areolata (Netted chainfern)
Finally, there are some evergreen plants that have attractive leaves and, in summer with more light, will bloom nicely. These are both salvias, sturdy, attractive plants native to Texas.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Plants for a Narrow, Dry, Shaded Site in Georgia
April 03, 2014 - I am writing from Valdosta, GA. Could you please suggest three perennial shrubs and/or plants that flower at different times of the spring and summer? Also ones that can be planted in a 2 ft. wide s...
view the full question and answer
Plants for border garden in shade in Austin
March 15, 2009 - Need suggestion for what to plant in a border garden. We live in northwest Austin and the garden is north-facing and shaded. Currently are oleanders but they don't get enough sun. Also growing are...
view the full question and answer
Replacement for grass under non-native weeping willow from Yorba Linda CA
April 24, 2012 - What would be a good replacement for the grass currently growing under a weeping willow? Something requiring low maintenance, the problem is with mowing over and around the roots.
view the full question and answer
Native grasses to accompany buffalograss in shade
May 01, 2008 - What grass goes with buffalo for shade/partial shade?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant privacy fence for shade in Hill Country
April 28, 2009 - I am looking for a shrub to plant along a privacy fence that gets 8+ feet tall, fast growing, preferably native, deer resistant, and can tolerate mostly shade. I reside in the Hill Country area. Tha...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |