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
Thursday - February 19, 2009
From: Spring, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Low evergreen shrubs for shade in Spring TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am looking for an evergreen plant that grows no taller than 2 feet and will grow in shade. I would love to have one that would also produce flowers. Please help and thanks.ANSWER:
Evergreen, no more than 2 feet tall, shade and with blooms pretty much limits the list. Two of our favorite evergreen shrubs Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) and Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) grow taller than that but we understand both now have dwarf cultivars that may be purchased. Even with a dwarf, you would probably have to do some pretty consistent pruning to keep it within your height requirements. Both of these plants are dioecious, meaning that only the female plants produce berries, and then only if a male of the same species is planted within 50 ft. of the female. Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush), Mahonia repens (creeping barberry), and Paxistima myrsinites (Oregon boxleaf) all remain fairly low or can be pruned to stay low, but perhaps would still be taller than you are looking for. These are all shrubs, but if you chose to consider some non-evergreen plants, there are a number of perennial flowering plants that bloom and will do well in the shade, but do go dormant and die back to the roots in winter. If you would like to check these out, go to our Recommended Species section, click on East Texas on the map, NARROW YOUR SEARCH, selecting "Herbs" (herbaceous flowering plants) and "Part Shade" and "Shade" under light requirements. You will get a list of plants, not evergreen, but native to your part of the state. You can follow the plant link to each and learn how tall the plant grows, when and what color it blooms, and something about its culture, moisture and soil requirements.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Shade groundcover under Magnolia in Austin, Texas
June 25, 2009 - I have a 50' Magnolia grandiflora casting full shade underneath with very shallow and some exposed roots. I have Horseherb (calyptocarpus vialis)in the area and have been encouraging it to spread und...
view the full question and answer
Grass for shady area
June 21, 2011 - I need to find a grass that can grow in a shady area, with some sun. Drought resistant and preferably native to the area. Would like to find a sod if possible. I know it's not a great time to plant n...
view the full question and answer
Plant called cow shade or cow weed that is poisonous
July 25, 2008 - There is a plant called cow shade or cow weed, not exactly sure. It kills whitetail deer. I would like to know the name of the plant and the specifics. If you could help me it would be greatly appreci...
view the full question and answer
Saving or transplanting stand of white trillium that has lost shade
May 29, 2006 - We have a generous stand of white trillium that has been under the shade of a white oak for many years. Now the 100+ year old oak has died and the trilliums are in the sun. Are we in danger of losin...
view the full question and answer
Small evergreen shrubs for part shade in Texas
January 31, 2015 - Mr. Smarty Pants,
I'm, for some reason, at odds with myself about a shrub decision. I have need about 8 ft of hedge-like evergreen shrub(s) that I can maintain around 4ft to go under a window. It...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |