Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 20, 2008

From: Anson, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Plants for xeriscape and shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Jones county, Texas. I would like to xeriscape portions of my lawn. The soil is sandy, I have a lot of shaded lawn area. What plants do you recommend that would be low maintenace, low water yet grow in the shade and sandy soil?

ANSWER:

You can find a list of Texas High Plains Recommended native plants that are commercially available for landscaping by choosing that area of Texas from the map on our Recommended Species page. When the list of species appears you can then narrow the list by choosing the Narrow Your Search option and selecting 'Shade' and 'Part shade' under "Light Requirement" and 'Dry' under "Soil Moisture".

Here are a few of Mr. Smarty Plants choices from the list:

Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)

Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

Acacia greggii var. wrightii (catclaw acacia)

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush)

Ephedra antisyphilitica (clapweed)

Glossopetalon planitierum (plains greasebush)

Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)

Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)

Rhus microphylla (littleleaf sumac)

Yucca glauca var. glauca (soapweed yucca)

Zinnia grandiflora (Rocky Mountain zinnia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Evergreen groundcover under pine tree in NY
May 23, 2008 - Hello! I live in upstate NY. I'm trying to find an evergreen ground cover to plant under a pine tree. I believe it's a white spruce (but I'm not postive). I've read conflicting information reg...
view the full question and answer

Vine for shaded area in Austin
February 15, 2009 - Hi! I live in South Austin, and love my backyard. It is enclosed by chain-link fencing, and shrouded by (ack!) Hackberry trees. I would like to plant a vine on one fence to provide a privacy screen. T...
view the full question and answer

Container plants for shade in Austin
March 15, 2011 - I reside in 78739. Just moving here from So Cal (where all plants are perennials), I'm looking to create a good "Shade loving" Container for near my front door. I'm looking at 'Summer Wave' Wi...
view the full question and answer

Plants to control erosion in shade in California
October 06, 2008 - I need plants that will help prevent soil erosion on a sloping area under a wood fence. The area has filtered light. thank you!
view the full question and answer

Plants to disguise plastic rainbarrels in dry shade
April 29, 2008 - What plants would you recommend to disguise blue plastic rainbarrels in dry shade?
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.