Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

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
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
3 ratings

Thursday - August 28, 2008

From: San Marcos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Native evergreen for shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Hi, I am looking for a plant that is evergreen (or semi evergreen), native to central Texas, and shade tolerant. This is for a Wildscape area in San Marcos. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

ANSWER:

Here are some evergreen and semi-evergreen plants that will tolerate part shade (2-6 hours of sunlight/day) and a few will tolerate shade (<2 hours of sunlight/day).

Vines:

Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade

Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) evergreen, sun and part shade

Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade

Shrubs/Small Trees:

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) evergreen, sun and part shade

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) evergreen, part shade

Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) evergreen, sun and part shade

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) evergreen, sun and part shade

Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) evergreen, sun and part shade

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) evergreen, sun and part shade

Herbaceous plants:

Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy) semi-evergreen, sun, part shade and shade

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) semi-evergreen, sun and part shade

Grasses and sedges:

Carex texensis (Texas sedge) evergreen, sun and part shade

Carex planostachys (cedar sedge) evergreen, part shade

There are several grasses that aren't evergreen, but they are still attractive when they begin to brown.  For example:

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade and shade 

Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade and shade 

Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) sun and part shade


Lonicera sempervirens

Gelsemium sempervirens

Bignonia capreolata

Sophora secundiflora

Ilex vomitoria

Mahonia trifoliolata

Morella cerifera

Rhus virens

Leucophyllum frutescens

Calyptocarpus vialis

Phyla nodiflora

Carex texensis

Carex planostachys

Chasmanthium latifolium

Elymus canadensis

Schizachyrium scoparium

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Vines for shade in North-Central Georgia
August 07, 2009 - I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet f...
view the full question and answer

Shade tolerant plants for Waynesville MO
April 09, 2013 - We moved to Waynesville, MO (gardening region 6) and when we bought our house there was a nice looking gardening area in front of the house. It is shaded moderately by a Redwood Tree and was "occupie...
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

Erosion controlling plants for a shady Minnesota lakeside
August 11, 2015 - I live about 50 yards from a lake and there is a steep embankment. Recently someone decided to cut the trees off the embankment and now the dirt is eroding off the embankment as well as off my back ya...
view the full question and answer

Edible plants in shade in Enville TN
June 15, 2009 - I have a flower bed against the back of my house with nothing in it. We moved into this house late last year and I was planning on planting some tomato plants there until I discovered it never gets an...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.