Explore Plants
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.
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
Sunday - May 29, 2011
From: Toledo, OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Shrubs
Title: Evergreen Deck Plant for Oregon
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Need evergreen shrub to grow in shade in container 5ft tall for deck.ANSWER:
Wow! You have a number of great choices. I used the recommended species list for Oregon, then I selected “shrubs” as the aspect and “Shade <2 hrs sun”. This still left 25 plants as possibilities. When I read through the set, looking for evergreens, a reasonable size and native to the central coastline, I still had 9 plants on my list!
Top of the list has got to be Mahonia aquifolium (Holly-leaf oregon-grape). The record shows that Holly-leaf Oregon-grape is a 3-6 ft., mound-shaped, broadleaf evergreen shrub with pinnately compound, glossy, leathery leaves. The 5-9 dark-green leaflets are armed with spiny teeth and turn reddish in fall. Terminal clusters of bright-yellow, bell-shaped flowers are followed by clusters of tiny blue, grape-like fruits. The bronzy copper color or the new growth in spring is an added bonus. This stout shrub is the state flower of Oregon - Sounds like a good conversation piece to me!
Two other great choices are Rhododendron macrophyllum (Pacific rhododendron) and Vaccinium ovatum (California huckleberry). The rhododendron, of course, because it is showy, and the huckleberry as it has edible berries [whether or not you choose to]!
Mahonia aquifolium Rhododendron macrophyllum Gaultheria shallon
Rounding out my list of possible shrubs: Ledum groenlandicum (Bog labrador tea), Gaultheria shallon (Salal), Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush), Ceanothus sanguineus (Oregon teatree), and Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy manzanita)
And – just to check – rather than a 5 ft. shrub, is it the container that is 5 ft tall? If so, then a trailing shrub like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) may be a good choice instead.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Container plants for Arlington TX
February 10, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I just moved to Arlington, TX. I am trying to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. What flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit combinations can I put together that wil...
view the full question and answer
Native Shade Tree for Central Texas
February 26, 2011 - My parents are buried in Round Mountain Cemetery close to Marble Falls, TX. Can you recommend a tree or shrub we can plant to shade their graves? We need something that can survive and grow in the h...
view the full question and answer
What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX?
May 16, 2011 - I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly...
view the full question and answer
Native moss to fill in between flagstones
April 21, 2008 - I live in Houston and have a long, narrow flagstone path that runs along the east side of the house. I am looking for a native moss that can fill in between the flagstones and will tolerate morning su...
view the full question and answer
Native shade trees for Austin
May 15, 2009 - I am building a new home that does not have any trees close by-- I want to have several shade trees to increase the efficiency of my home. What are your suggestions for an easy care, fast-growing, an...
view the full question and answer
 |
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. |
