Native Plants
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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.
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Friday - March 27, 2009
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Shrub for shade in Austin, Texas.
Answered by: Damon Waitt
QUESTION:
Live in Austin, Texas and need to plant a shrub or plant that will grow well in little to no sun. Can grow 4 feet in heightANSWER:
There are a number of small, native, shade tolerant shrubs that would do well in Austin, Texas. A search of the Recommended Species list for Central Texas for shade tolerant shrubs yielded 20 results. Of those results, Mr. Smarty Plants is partial to Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow), Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), and Pavonia lasiopetala (Texas swampmallow) but you might also try the lesser known Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo), Mimosa borealis (fragrant mimosa) or even Erythrina herbacea (redcardinal).
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