Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - March 21, 2008

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover for shade in San Antonio
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I have a large red oak tree in the front yard. It is keeping any sun except filtered underneath. Faces n/w and in san antonio. I need a ground cover that is drought tolerant and likes the shade and heat.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants thinks that this sounds like a job for sedges.  Here are a few suggested ones:

Carex planostachys (cedar sedge)

Carex texensis (Texas sedge)

Some broadleaf possibilities are:

Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy)

Geum Canadense (White Avens)

Salvia lyrata, (Lyre-leaf sage)

Salvia coccinea, (Scarlet sage)

Salvia roemeriana, (Cedar sage)

 

From the Image Gallery


Cedar sedge
Carex planostachys

Texas sedge
Carex texensis

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

White avens
Geum canadense

Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata

Scarlet sage
Salvia coccinea

Cedar sage
Salvia roemeriana

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Plants for shade in Texas
September 14, 2008 - I am looking for shade tolerant shrubs to plant near our carport. We live in Plum Grove, near Splendora, Texas. I don't want anything with thorns that will scratch the paint or me while getting i...
view the full question and answer

Grasses for shady areas
November 24, 2013 - I would like to know which grasses would grow in mostly shady part of the house.
view the full question and answer

Texas native shade plants for metal troughs in Austin
December 22, 2012 - Interested in finding Texas natives that would do well in metal troughs in the shade.
view the full question and answer

Groundcover to help ease erosion in shade
May 17, 2008 - My house is situated on an embankment near a creek. We are looking for ground cover plants that can help ease the erosion of the embankment without being invasive for the existing trees. They must be...
view the full question and answer

Non-blooming crape myrtle in Italy, TX
June 25, 2008 - It's Italy, TX, again! Thanks for the advice and links, and I'll study those..but here's where I'm stumped on crape myrtle. I have two (almost) trees because they've been planted over 15 years ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.