Native Plants
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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.
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Wednesday - August 20, 2008
From: Anson, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Plants for xeriscape and shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Jones county, Texas. I would like to xeriscape portions of my lawn. The soil is sandy, I have a lot of shaded lawn area. What plants do you recommend that would be low maintenace, low water yet grow in the shade and sandy soil?ANSWER:
You can find a list of Texas High Plains Recommended native plants that are commercially available for landscaping by choosing that area of Texas from the map on our Recommended Species page. When the list of species appears you can then narrow the list by choosing the Narrow Your Search option and selecting 'Shade' and 'Part shade' under "Light Requirement" and 'Dry' under "Soil Moisture".Here are a few of Mr. Smarty Plants choices from the list:
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Acacia greggii var. wrightii (catclaw acacia)
Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush)
Ephedra antisyphilitica (clapweed)
Glossopetalon planitierum (plains greasebush)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)
Rhus microphylla (littleleaf sumac)
Yucca glauca var. glauca (soapweed yucca)
Zinnia grandiflora (Rocky Mountain zinnia)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Shrub for shade in Rockford IL
April 29, 2009 - I live in Rockford, IL and would like to know what kind of bush to plant in pretty much, full shade. I would prefer to stay away from evergreens due to allergies.
Thanks.
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How much shade will Thunder Turf (Habiturf) take?
March 20, 2016 - How much shade will Thunder Turf take?
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Will Thunder Turf do well in shade from Iola TX
June 23, 2010 - Will the Thunder Turf do well in shady areas or is there a better blend of native grasses that would thrive better?
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Smoky Mountains Shaded Slope Plant Suggestions
April 29, 2013 - We live in a very shady spot in Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. We would like to plant vegetation on a sloped area behind our cottage to stop erosion after building an addition. Our h...
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Ground cover for shady slope in Illinois
May 31, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty:
I have a shady sloping area that I am trying to cover with low fast growing, perennials that will keep maintenance to the minimum and prevent erosion. Grass would be very difficul...
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