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
1 rating

Monday - July 30, 2007

From: Rockport, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Recommendations for native shade plants in sandy soil
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Rockport, TX, and would like to plant a small, shaded triangular corner (bounded on 2 sides by wooden fence)in my front yard. The area has limited southern exposure due to shading by live oaks & receives little or no sunlight. Soils are sandy. Any recommendations?

ANSWER:

Here are some suggestions for plants found in Aransas County, Texas that should do well in sandy shade or part shade:

Wildflowers:

Argemone albiflora (bluestem pricklypoppy)

Argemone sanguinea (red pricklypoppy)

Callirhoe involucrata (purple poppymallow)

Coreopsis tinctoria (golden tickseed)

Delphinium carolinianum (Carolina larkspur)

Echinacea angustifolia (blacksamson echinacea)

Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)

Ruellia nudiflora (violet wild petunia)

Sisyrinchium langloisii (roadside blue-eyed grass)

Solidago altissima (late goldenrod)

Tradescantia subacaulis (stemless spiderwort)

Xanthisma texanum (Texas sleepydaisy)

 

Low shrubs:

Acacia angustissima (prairie acacia)

Amorpha canescens (leadplant)

Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides (St. Andrew's cross)

 


Argemone albiflora

Argemone sanguinea

Callirhoe involucrata

Coreopsis tinctoria

Delphinium carolinianum

Echinacea angustifolia

Gaillardia pulchella

Ruellia nudiflora

Sisyrinchium langloisii

Solidago altissima

Tradescantia subacauli

Xanthisma texanum

Acacia angustissima

Amorpha canescens

Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Replacement for Love Grass in Michigan
July 27, 2015 - need a replacement for Love Grass at Shops of Willow Bend in Plano. The entire perimeter of this mall has Bermuda and Love Grass. The Elms and Oaks have grown so the Love Grass is mostly gone. Ther...
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

Native plants for shade in Ennis TX
August 26, 2011 - My house faces south. The southwest side of the front yard has a Pride of Houston, Japanese Barberry, 2 crape myrtles and some dwarf yaupon hollies. The other section, divided by a stairway to the p...
view the full question and answer

Plants for shade in Pennsylvania
September 13, 2008 - i would like to plant a small area in my rear yard, that is full shade in the summer (when the trees are full with leaves) and part shade in early spring. i live on a state park - there are plenty of...
view the full question and answer

Shade-loving Grass for the Houston area
February 09, 2011 - I have an ash tree that completely shades the majority of our front yard and is not allowing the St. Augustine grass to grow. Is there a shade-loving grass good for the Houston area?
view the full question and answer

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