Native Plants
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.
rate this answer
Friday - July 08, 2016
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants for a moist, shady spot in central Texas
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking for a plant that will grow in almost full shade with plenty of moisture along a fence. We are looking at putting down some flagstone with possibly some moss growing in between, but we don't want it to take over the St. Augustine that is in the rest of the lawn. Thank you!ANSWER:
I guess that you are looking for plants that are relatively low-growing near the flagstones. If you go to our Native Plant Database page and click on Combination Search you can enter the parameters that suit your needs and get a list of species that may be suitable.
I have taken a few species from that listing that I know do well in central Texas. Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage), Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden columbine), Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana (Hinckley's golden columbine), Packera obovata (Golden groundsel), Scutellaria ovata (Heartleaf skullcap), Thelypteris kunthii (Wood fern), Carex amphibola (Creek sedge), Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage) and Ruellia humilis (Low wild petunia). These plants thrive in shady and moist sites.
Many of these species should be available at plant nurseries in your area. Examples are Barton Creek Nursery and the Natural Gardener in the Austin vicinity.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Low evergreen drought-resistant shrubs for area in partial shade
January 03, 2014 - I promised my mom to help her with some new plants for her house, so here goes. She lives near Waco on Blackland clay soil. The problem area is right in front of the house. It only receives a few hour...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen plants for shaded bed and removing bermuda grass.
November 29, 2007 - Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have two questions. First, the back of our house in Williamson County faces north. We have plant beds (about one foot wide and the length of the house) up against the back w...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping in shade in Round Rock, TX
May 04, 2010 - I have a flower bed that is 3' deep by 15' wide. It is in front of my front porch. Half of it only gets sun right now from about 3:30-5pm (a little filtered sun for maybe another hour). The other ha...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly plants from Austin TX
December 17, 2012 - I have a butterfly garden in the front part of the house facing the south side. However it is also mostly under a few Oak trees that cast shadow over half of the front yard starting early afternoon. ...
view the full question and answer
Sun and shade landscaping in Coppell TX
April 03, 2011 - My two-story home in Coppell Texas faces north. The houses are ten feet apart. The sun leaves the front yard late-0ctober/early-November. It is March 24 and the beds are still in house shade. In s...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |