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_10.gif)
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
Ground cover under Juniper for San Antonio
September 14, 2012 - I have a shaded area under juniper in the Hill Country of Texas that has many sprouts from the tree. We have to weed whack it to keep them under control. What ground cover could I use to enhance tha...
view the full question and answer
Full Shade Plants for Muncy PA
April 10, 2014 - I need a suggestion for almost full shade plants for central Pennsylvania.
view the full question and answer
Low evergreen drought-resistant shrubs for area in partial shade
January 03, 2014 - I promised my mom to help her with some new plants for her house, so here goes. She lives near Waco on Blackland clay soil. The problem area is right in front of the house. It only receives a few hour...
view the full question and answer
Native Plants for a Shaded Patio Container in Missouri
April 17, 2015 - What kind of native plants would grow well in a pot on a fully shaded patio? I live in Kansas City, Missouri. The patio faces north and doesn't get any direct sunlight, but it gets lots of indirect...
view the full question and answer
Large shrub for screen in shade
June 11, 2008 - I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and cr...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |