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_42.gif)
Wednesday - May 21, 2008
From: Dothan, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Evergreen shrub with flowers Alabama
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for an evergreen plant, shrub or the likeness that flowers in the spring that can handle hot afternoon sun in Southeast AL. Can you give me some suggestions, if there is such an animal.ANSWER:
There are quite a few evergreen shrubs/small trees that are native to Alabama. Most of them are listed as growing in part shade, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't tolerate full sun. One that does qualify for full sun, Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), doesn't have showy flowers but it does produce berries that wildlife find palatable. Lycium carolinianum (Carolina desert-thorn or Christmasberry) also will grow in full sun. Its flowers aren't particularly showy either, but it does have red berries that give it the common name of Christmasberry. Here are more photos and information. Another shrub that will grow well in full sun is Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly bay). It does have showy, fragrant flowers, but requires plenty of water.The following evergreens have showy flowers, but are listed as growing best in part shade.
Illicium floridanum (Florida anisetree)
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)
Rhododendron catawbiense (Catawba rosebay)
Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)
Leucothoe axillaris (coastal doghobble)
Leucothoe fontanesiana (highland doghobble)
The next evergreens grow in part shade, but can do very well in full sun. They don't have showy flowers but do have persistent red or black berries.
Ilex myrtifolia (myrtle dahoon)
Osmanthus americanus (devilwood)
More Shrubs Questions
Western Poison Oak Sap Transfer
January 26, 2016 - My partner is a park ranger and constantly exposed to poison oak. He gets infected sometimes but mostly seems to tolerate it pretty well. I, on the other hand, keep getting reinfected with it, all ove...
view the full question and answer
Problems with rhododendrons in Germany
July 07, 2008 - I am writing with questions about rhododendrons. I purchased four small rhododendron/azalea hybrids in April. Because I had to prepare the garden before planting them, I left them in the pots they cam...
view the full question and answer
Problem with magnolias and yaupon in Prosper TX
May 13, 2012 - Problem with Little Gem magnolia - 3 little gems planted next to a fence, in Prosper, TX. Planted 3 years ago, 2009, one of the trees is now withering. The other 2 are doing fine, the one has leaves...
view the full question and answer
Toxicity of non-native red-tip photinia to fish from Friendswood TX
April 10, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have seen several questions on Red Tip Photinia (RTP) concerning toxicity to horses, dogs and children. We recently lost over 100 gold fish and 6 large KOI in our man made back ...
view the full question and answer
Plants resistant to white-tailed deer from Austin
April 01, 2013 - Could you tell me whether American Beautyberry and Blackfoot Daisy are usually eaten by our Austin white-tailed deer, or not? I get different answers in different publications. It would be great to ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |