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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Saturday - July 01, 2006
From: Chicago, IL
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Green roof plants tolerating shade
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am researching extensive greenroof plants for a potential site in Austin. The roof surface is shaded for most days of the the year. Are there any top choices for plants for this condition?ANSWER:
it is unusual to have a roof that will be shaded most of the year. The plants recommended for green roofs are generally ones that do well in full sun or part shade. You can see a list of the plants being tested for extensive greenroofs at the Wildflower Center by visiting our Green Roof Research page. Several of the plants being tested are recommended for part shade. These are:Winecup ( Callirhoe involucrata)
Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
Four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)
Barbara's buttons (Marshallia caespitosa)
Spice-Lily (Manfreda maculosa)
The following candidate species are not currently being tested, but they do grow well in the shade and have low water requirements:
Texas sedge (Carex texensis)
Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana)
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea)
Drummond's Wild Petunia (Ruellia drummondiana)
Pigeon berry (Rivina humilis)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
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April 24, 2012 - What would be a good replacement for the grass currently growing under a weeping willow? Something requiring low maintenance, the problem is with mowing over and around the roots.
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Native grasses for shade for Austin
September 21, 2009 - I just read with interest your article on multi-species native lawns. However, I believe the suggested grasses don't grow well in the shade, is this true. Are there any suggestions for native (mult...
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What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
October 26, 2010 - I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
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Native shrub for part shade in Austin
April 16, 2009 - I live in SE Austin (Dove Springs area). I have a 3' by 3' area near my front door. It gets morning sun, but not the entire morning because of the tall tree in my front yard. By 11 o'clock or noon,...
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Deer-resistant plants for under cedar and oak trees in Austin
June 22, 2010 - I have about 1.5 acres in southern Travis county. It's full of mature live oaks and cedar trees, and the soil is full of limestone. I've been gathering the limestone and using them to create raise...
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