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
Wednesday - April 01, 2009
From: Archer, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Non-toxic shade trees for horses in Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Looking for non poisonous shade trees for pasture with horses. Would prefer flowering or something that changes color. Thank you.ANSWER:
First of all, Mr. Smarty Plants wants to refer you to some plants to AVOID for your horses. Please see the lists from the following sources:10 Most Poisonous Plants for Horses from EquiSearch.com
Poisonous Plants from Trailblazer Magazine
Toxic Plants: Horses from the ASPCA
Horse Nutrition: Poisonous Plants from Ohio State University
Next, Mr. Smarty Plants refers you to our Recommended Species page to find native plants that are commerically available in Florida. You can select 'Florida' from the map or pulldown menu and then NARROW YOUR SEARCH by selecting 'Tree' from the Habit (general appearance) option.
You can also find a list of recommended species from near your area (Suwannee County) from the Florida Native Plant Society.
Finally, Mr. Smarty Plants refers you to some toxic plant databases that you can check for the plants you like. These would be: Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock, Texas Toxic Plant Database, and University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants. When you find a tree that you would like to plant in your pasture, you can compare it with these lists to see if it is safe for your horses. From the two Florida Recommended species lists mentioned above, Mr. Smarty Plants has chosen several species and checked them against the toxic plant databases. These species are:
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) with beautiful flowers and fall foliage
Chionanthus virginicus (white fringetree)
Castanea pumila (chinkapin) with flowers and unusual fruits/seeds. Here are more photos and information.
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree) with beautiful flowers and unusual fruits/seeds
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native plants for dry shade in Austin
March 27, 2007 - I live in North Austin, and I'd like to find plants that would work in dry shade. This area does receive a couple of hours of morning sun, and I've had great luck with Hinckley's Columbine. Any o...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control for shady slope in Kentucky backyard
August 28, 2013 - I live in northern Kentucky (near Cincinnati). I have an area in my backyard that has slope. It is next to an ash tree and is very shady. Water erosion has washed away the top soil and pretty much no...
view the full question and answer
Plant for total shade in Austin Texas
November 18, 2013 - Most of north wall of my house is in total shade. Is there a native that will grow there? The nonnative Cast Iron Plant is thriving and the soil is good. Your list of plants requiring 2 hours or less ...
view the full question and answer
Screen and shade for pool in Michigan
July 18, 2010 - We recently moved to a new home that has a pool. There is no shade nor privacy. What types of trees, plants would you recommend for our small backyard?
view the full question and answer
Shade tree for cemetery in Wilmington DE
September 13, 2009 - We are looking for a shade tree for a cemetery in Delaware. The tree will be planted only a few feet from some existing gravesites. What trees would you recommend that will not interfere with the ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |