Native Plants
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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.
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Monday - February 09, 2009
From: Brighton, IA
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: What shade trees and shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I need to know what shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs and flowering shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa. thanksANSWER:
I am providing links to five databases regarding toxic plants. Please note that the absence of the name of a plant from these lists does not guarantee that it is non-toxic to horses, but not finding it on the lists makes it less likely to be toxic. To search the lists, I recommend using the scientific name since those names are generally standard, whereas the common names often vary in spelling and usage.
For help in selecting trees and shrubs to plant, select RECOMMENDED SPECIES from the EXPLORE PLANTS MENU. When the Recommended Species page comes up, click on Iowa on the map. You will get a list of 178 commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Iowa. You can choose the "Narrow your Search" option, select "Tree" under HABIT and "Perennnial"under DURATION, then click on the Narrow Your Search bar and you will trim your list to 36 tree species. Clicking on the name of any plant will take you to the page for that plant in the Native Plant Database. Repeat the Narrow Your Search procedure choosing Shrub under HABIT, and you will get a list of 29 shrubs.
Cornell University's Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Native grasses that are shade tolerant for Central Texas
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Hanging flowering plants in part shade in Denton, TX
September 18, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'd like to hang 4"-6" pots with flowering plants from north-facing eaves. That area gets an hour or so of late-morning/noon sun. Also, my apt. faces a large courtyard so...
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Native grasses for shady yard in Austin
September 04, 2011 - I was looking at your research on native grasses to be used in a yard. I want to plant your native mix of seeds, but worry that there is too much shade in my yard. I live in central Austin and wante...
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Fast-growing vine for shade in Brooklyn
June 05, 2011 - I am looking for a flowering vine that is fast growing and will be able to flower this season if I plant it within next couple weeks (in June) here in Brooklyn. I want something that will grow up a pi...
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Shade tree with non-aggressive roots for next to pool in The Woodlands TX
April 26, 2011 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants.
We live in Spring, TX and are looking for a full-sun shade tree to plant in a large planter (about 6'x6') next to our pool. We want the tree to provide shade for our full a...
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