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 - September 10, 2009
From: Diamond Bar, CA
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Flowering shrub for part shade in Southern California
Answered by: Amy Johnson
QUESTION:
What shrubs would be able to flourish in morning shade but deal with afternoon sun and 90 plus degrees in the summer months in Southern California? I would like a shrub that is about 5 ft. tall and 3 to 4 ft. wide that flowers. There is now a common yellow daisy bush there that is growing prostrate as it seeks the sun. I don't want to make the same mistake twice. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.ANSWER:
Here are several shrubs that come close to meeting your requirements - the exact size was the hardest to match. All of them will take part shade, which sounds like it best describes the condition of the spot you want to fill, have flowers, grow in Southern California, and are not too far from the size you were looking for:
Arctostaphylos hookeri(Hooker's manzanita)
Carpenteria californica (Tree anemone)
Diplacus longiflorus (Southern bush monkeyflower)
Diplacus puniceus (Red bush monkeyflower)
Fallugia paradoxa (Apache plume)
Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon)
Holodiscus discolor (Oceanspray)
Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush)
Rhododendron occidentale (Western azalea)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Ground cover for shade that is drought tolerant
August 02, 2010 - Can you suggest a ground cover or plant that loves shade and is drought tolerant in the Austin Region? If the two do not coexist can you suggest a ground cover for shade.
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for foot traffic in dry shade from Prineville OR
May 12, 2013 - I live in central Oregon. I have an area under a large elm tree that slopes on all sides and has lots of foot traffic and no sun. (my kids have a swing in the tree and play around it a lot.) It's a v...
view the full question and answer
North-central Texas shrubs for part-shade
March 30, 2011 - I need a shrub that will be OK in shade (2-3 hrs a day max.), in fairly well-drained soil, will grow to around 8 ft. tall and 4-6 wide, for the region between Denton and Gainesville. If it flowers, al...
view the full question and answer
Plants for shade in Northern California
March 30, 2010 - What are good plants that grow and live in shade only?
view the full question and answer
Native turkscap failing to thrive in Shiro TX
March 19, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Two years ago I transplanted several native (not cultivars) Drummond's turkscaps in the proximity of water oaks in the front yard. All get shade and some sun. They seemed to ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |