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 - July 06, 2016
From: Edgewood, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Shade Tolerant
Title: Native Perennials for Dry Shade in NM
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I live in Edgewood, NM at an elevation of about 7,200 ft. It is very dry here and it can get below zero (rarely) in the winter. I have some areas under cedar trees where I have had difficulty getting anything to grow. The soil is acidic due to the falling needles/leaves and the area is mostly shady. Do you have any suggestions for perennial flowers that can live in this environment?ANSWER:
You have described one of the big challenges for gardeners - dry + shade. There are lots of native plants that can tolerate dry soil conditions or shaded sites, but the list is reduced significantly for plants that are happy growing in dry shade. So best wishes with your challenge.
To start, take a look at the Native Plant Database and search for New Mexico, Herb, Perennial, Shade and Dry criteria. This will produce a list of 24 native perennials that tolerate dry shade. There are two additional factors that you requested that the Native Plant Database can't accommodate - hardiness zones and acidic soil. So from the previous list, I have done further research to factor in these additional two requests. It would be best to trial a small area to see how these plants perform and what the flowering ability will be under your conditions. And almost all of the suggestions below will grow and perform better if they get some sun. Best wishes.
The result is the following plants to consider ...
Astragalus crassicarpus (groundplum vetch)
Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell bellflower)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf coreopsis)
Geum triflorum (old man's whiskers)
Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine)
Maianthemum stellatum (starry false lily of the valley)
Polygonatum biflorum (smooth solomon's seal)
Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod)
From the Image Gallery
More Drought Tolerant Questions
Deer resistant native plants for Eagle Scout project in Urbandale IA
April 27, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants, My son is planning his Eagle Scout Project doing some landscaping for the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. The facility has asked him to use only plants native to Iowa. Can you su...
view the full question and answer
Erosion tolerant plants for shade from Kerrville TX
August 06, 2013 - We have just cleared a lot of cedar out of a small draw and would like to know the best groundcovers, shrubs, etc. to plant to hold the soil. Deep shade most of the day.
view the full question and answer
Drought tolerant vine for Austin, Texas
May 17, 2014 - What kind of drought-tolerant vine can I plant outside my screened in porch in Austin, Texas, that will stay on a trellis and not grow into the screen?
view the full question and answer
protecting native trees during drought
June 07, 2011 - We are very concerned about our mature live oaks and cedar elms because they are so stressed due to the drought. We have lost several of our mountain juniper and I really don't want to lose our more...
view the full question and answer
Low maintenance, drought tolerant, native plants for school garden in Round Rock
March 30, 2006 - Our school is about to plant a memorial garden but need very drought tolerant plants and flowers as the schools water very little during the summer months. What would you suggest? The district does ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |