Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Wednesday - September 30, 2015
From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Vines
Title: Plants for Georgetown with shade in the AM and sun in the PM
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I live in Georgetown and I would like a recommendation for plants (shrubs and flowering perennials) that can handle deep shade until 1 or 2 pm and then have full sun blasting them til sun down. They also have the reflected heat from the garage to contend with. Are there any vegetables that can handle this as well? Oh, and of course I have heavy clay soil that I amended and the beds were dug down 8 inches and raised 4inches. Thanks!ANSWER:
This is a challenging situation. Sun in the morning and shade later in the day is a bit easier to deal with, but here are a few possibilities.
Ageratina havanensis (Shrubby boneset)
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's cap or turkscap)
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo)
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy)
You might consider building an arbor or pergola for a sun-loving evergreen vine that could provide some sort of relief from the fierce summer sun. Here are suggestions for vines:
Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle)
Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine)
For the vegetables, since they are mostly non-native cultivars you should check with the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Sevice for suggestions. Our focus and expertise are with plants native to North America. Here is a link to their vegetable information.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Grasses for shady acreage in Paige, TX
February 10, 2009 - My family recently bought property in Paige, TX. We thinned out the dense vegetation leaving pines and some oak and juniper. The ground is now bare sand throughout much of the property, except for th...
view the full question and answer
Texas natives that are shade tolerant for Austin, TX
January 21, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am looking for Texas native plants that are shade tolerant....specifically agaves (How about the Century Agave and the Queen Victoria Agave?) and something to add a splash ...
view the full question and answer
Starting shade-tolerant ground covers in New York
September 10, 2013 - Hi, I have seen some of the posts for shade-tolerant ground cover on the east end of Long Island and my question is process related. Now that I've identified the grasses/plants I need to keep my fro...
view the full question and answer
Suggestion for plants to replace grass in semi-shade in NY
February 01, 2008 - I have an area that is in semi-shade but gets about 4-5 hours of sunlight in the summer. Instead of grass I would like to perhaps use wild flowers or even prairie type grasses. Any suggestions??
view the full question and answer
Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012 - I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |