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)
Thursday - June 05, 2008
From: Garden Ridge, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Screening bush for shady area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need some kind of bush that will act as an air conditioning blind. So far the deer have eaten or destroyed everything planted in the very shady mulch bed. What do you recommend?ANSWER:
You are probably interested in something that is evergreen so that you hide the air conditioner all year round. Here are three possibilities that are evergreen, will grow in partial shade (2 to 6 hours per day), occur in Comal County and are deer-resistant.Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
And, here are a few deciduous bushes that fit the description above:
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
Pavonia lasiopetala (Texas swampmallow)
Mimosa borealis (fragrant mimosa)
Eysenhardtia texana (Texas kidneywood)
Aesculus pavia var. flavescens (red buckeye)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native Perennials for Dry Shade in NM
July 06, 2016 - I live in Edgewood, NM at an elevation of about 7,200 ft. It is very dry here and it can get below zero (rarely) in the winter. I have some areas under cedar trees where I have had difficulty gettin...
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
Shade trees with a tap root
July 31, 2009 - I need a list of shade trees with a tap root system. I would also like the tree to grow at a medium to fast rate. I will be planting near a concrete wall and do not want the roots to do any damage to ...
view the full question and answer
Shade Tolerant Grasses and Groundcovers for Waco TX
March 15, 2013 - What is the best shade-tolerant grass?
What is the best shade-tolerant ground cover?
view the full question and answer
Plants for shaded area in East Texas
July 23, 2013 - I live in East Texas and have an area that is shaded most of the day - it only gets sun in the middle of the day but it is direct. What would be best? I would prefer something that won't freeze, bu...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |