Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - May 20, 2009
From: Benicia, CA
Region: California
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native woodland plants for Benicia, California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am planting in raised beds around redwood trees, Japanese maples and rhododendrons in my backyard. I would like suggestions for native woodland plants to accompany my established plants. The area is quite shady and the soil is rich. Thank youANSWER:
On our Recommended Species page choose Northern California from the map or the pulldown menu for a list of commercially available landscaping plants for the area. Here are a few suggestions from that list that grow well in shade (less than 2 hours of sun per day):
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Aquilegia formosa (western columbine)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Solidago altissima (late goldenrod)
Here are a couple of plants that aren't on that list but are native to Solano County and available at Bay Natives, one of our Associate Suppliers in your area:
Adiantum aleuticum (Aleutian maidenhair fern)
Triteleia laxa (Ithuriel's spear) and more information and photos
More Shrubs Questions
Native plants with little sun and northern exposure for New York
April 26, 2006 - I live in a co-op and want to fix up the backyard. The backyard area has a west area to plant with a northern exposure and little sun and I am looking to plant something to cover the area. I would lik...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping on South Padre Island
June 07, 2008 - I'm in charge of landscaping at my beachfront condo in South Padre Island and find the wind, salt air, and heat challenging for growing almost anything. We would like to incorporate native plants, b...
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming or fruiting Oregon grape holly in Elmhurst IL
May 14, 2010 - I have an Oregon grape holly bush that has never bloomed and has never had fruit. I have had the bush for at least 6 years, it is approximately 5 ft tall. Have had no problems, just no flowers/fruit....
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on bio-security
June 11, 2005 - Hello,
My friend and I are summer interns at the Bryan Mound Strategic Petroleum Reserve Site in Freeport, Texas. Our jobs as the interns is to find a plant that is friendly to the animals around our...
view the full question and answer
Native plants/shrubs to plant under sycamore and redbud trees
September 03, 2009 - I want to eventually get rid of our front lawn. We have a 40 year old sycamore tree and a young but well established redbud tree in the front yard. What are some good plants/shrubs to plant under the ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |