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_00.gif)
Saturday - September 26, 2009
From: Waxhaw, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Small evergreen shrubs for horse barn in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I want to plant some low growing evergreen shrubs in pots in my paddock around my barn. The horses can occasionally be in this are but not for an extended time. I am in NC. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
The following are small evergreen shrubs that are found in North Carolina. None of them occurs on any of the toxic plant databases that I searched (Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock, Toxic Plants of Texas, University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants, and Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System), so the plants should be safe FOR the horses. However, I don't know if they will be safe FROM the horses, i.e., I don't know whether the horses might think they are very tasty.You should realize that plants in pots do not withstand cold weather as well as plants whose roots are in the ground. If you have a prolonged very cold period, you should consider protecting the potted plants to keep their roots from freezing. You can read about Overwintering Potted Plants from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush)
Ilex glabra (inkberry) has cultivars that are only 3-4 feet high, e.g., Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'
Juniperus communis var. depressa (common juniper) and here are photos and more information.
Leiophyllum buxifolium (sandmyrtle)
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) has dwarf cultivars
Paxistima canbyi (Canby's mountain-lover)
More Shrubs Questions
Pruning a mock orange in Charleston WV
March 30, 2009 - How far back and when do I prune a "Mock Orange" in order to get it to bloom?
view the full question and answer
Native Substitute for Boxwood in Llano, TX
March 28, 2011 - I love boxwood because it's evergreen & provides a great backdrop to my flowers w/o taking over the bed. However, I'm trying to stick with native plants, so can you provide a native alternative to b...
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming Tecoma stans in Fredericksburg, TX
June 30, 2008 - We have an esperanza plant purchased last year from Walmart and planted outside before winter. It flowered excellently last year. Just before winter we cut it back to about a foot. So far this summer ...
view the full question and answer
Overwatering and fertilization of whiteleaf manzanita
July 27, 2007 - Hi, I have an Arctostaphylos Dr. Hurd, southern California coast, several years old, 10 feet, that has a few large branches with yellowing and spotted leaves... also dropping many.
causes? remedy? sh...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses and shrubs for Houston project
November 21, 2008 - I am working on a project in Houston. As part of the sustainable approach of the project, I would like to plant native / adaptive, non-invasive grasses and shrubs. It is key that they use little wat...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |