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)
Sunday - November 24, 2013
From: Pilot Point, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Grasses for shady areas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to know which grasses would grow in mostly shady part of the house.ANSWER:
First, we need to establish whether your area is considered shade (less than 2 hours of sun per day) or part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun per day). Then, we need to consider what kind of grass you want for your shady area. I suspect you are looking for turf grass for your shade. If that's what you want, I'm afraid you are out of luck. There aren't any native turf grasses that do well in the shade. I can recommend a sedge species, Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge), that is grasslike and makes a good evergreen groundcover. It grows to about 1 foot high but can be lightly mowed to make it look tidier.
There are several attractive ornamental grasses that don't qualify as turf grasses that will grow in full shade. They are:
Setaria scheelei (Southwestern bristlegrass)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
There are several other non-grass groundcovers that will grow in shade:
Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) is semi-evergreen.
Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony spleenwort) has evergreen sterile fronds and also fertile fronds.
Packera obovata (Golden groundsel) is semi-evergreen or evergreen.
If your area qualifies as part shade, there are a couple of low, evergreen sedges that do well in part shade and make a good groundcover.
Carex planostachys (Cedar sedge)
Here are some low groundcovers that will do well in part shade:
Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit) is semi-evergreen.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Plants for northern exposure in Wichita, KS
March 17, 2009 - What are good plants for the north side of the house with acidic soil in Zone 6, Wichita, KS?
view the full question and answer
Shade tree for cemetery in Wilmington DE
September 13, 2009 - We are looking for a shade tree for a cemetery in Delaware. The tree will be planted only a few feet from some existing gravesites. What trees would you recommend that will not interfere with the ...
view the full question and answer
Need a 2-4 ft shrub for the shady NW side of the house in Austin, TX
February 07, 2012 - I am looking for a 2-4 ft tall shrub or hedge to plant along the NW side of my house, which is shaded by a live oak. This area doesn't get any direct sun. I wondered if a row of Winter Gem Boxwoods ...
view the full question and answer
Plants to grow under elm tree in Amarillo TX
May 01, 2014 - I have a large elm tree and I can't get seem to get anything to grow under it. I was wondering if there are any shade-loving groundcovers that you would recommend (have tried English Ivy, hostas, an...
view the full question and answer
Partial shade plants for underneath ash tree in Tarrant County, Texas
April 20, 2011 - I have a BIG Ash Tree in my front yard that blocks out most afternoon sun. I generally get morning and evening sun. I am looking for something to plant around the base of the tree so my yard doesn'...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |