Shade Tolerant Plants

SHADE-TOLERANT PLANT MATERIAL

Yes, there are a few desert-adapted plants that will tolerate some shade! Although the following list is by no means complete, it does identify many of the items we grow that can be used on north or east exposures. Be aware that most plants will not bloom as profusely in shady conditions. For quick reference, we have provided approximate mature sizes and conservative estimates of cold-hardiness for each plant.
  (HT. X WIDTH) (COLD HARDINESS)
Agave desmettiana 3' x 3' 25° F
Agave geminiflora (Twin-flowered agave) 3' x 3' 25° F
Agave parryi
(Parry's agave)		 3' x 3' 15° F
Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus agave) 5' x 5' 20° F
Aloe species   25° F
Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden columbine) 3' x 3' 0° F
Bulbine frutescens (Yellow bulbine) 1' x 2-3' 10° F
Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark'
(Dwarf orange) 		 8-10" x 2' 10° F
Celtis pallida
(Desert hackberry) 		 8-10' x 10' 17° F
Cissus trifoliata
(Native grape ivy vine)		   22° F
Cuphea llavea (Bat-faced cuphea) 2' x 3' 25° F
Cuphea 'Starfire'  2' x 3' 25° F
Dasylirion longissimum 6’ x 5’ 20° F
Dicliptera suberecta (Velvet honeysuckle)  3' x 4' 28° F
Erigeron species ‘Profusion’
(Santa Barbara daisy) 		 1” x 3-4’ 20° F
Eupatorium greggii Boothill™  18” x 2-3’ Root hardy to 0° F
Fraxinus greggii (Littleleaf ash)  15’ x 10’ 10° F
Gaura lindheimeri 2' x 3' Root hardy to 0° F
Justicia spicigera (Mexican honeysuckle)  3' x 3' 28° F
Manfreda maculosa 1' x 2' 10° F
Mimulus cardinalis (Monkey flower)  2' x 3' Root hardy to 0° F
Muhlenbergia capillaris Regal Mist™ 3' x 3' Root hardy to 0° F
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Autumn Glow™  4-5' x 5' Root hardy to 0° F
Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer grass)  4’ x 4’ Root hardy to 0° F
Oenothera berlandieri (Mexican primrose)  1' x 3' Root hardy to 0° F
Oenothera stubbei (Chihuahuan primrose)  1’ x 4-5’ 10° F
Penstemon spp. 0° F
Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem sage) 3' x 3' 0° F
Plumbago scandens Summer Snow™  2-3' x 3' 23° F
Ruellia brittoniana 3’ x 3’ 30° F
Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie'  1' x 1-2' 30° F
Salvia clevelandii (Chaparral sage)  5’ x 6’ 15° F
Salvia coccinea
(Scarlet sage) 		 2-3’ x 3’ 30° F
Salvia greggii
(Autumn sage) 		 3' x 3' 10° F
Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage)  4' x 4' 24° F
Tagetes lucida
(Licorice marigold) 		 3' x 3' 32° F
Wedelia trilobata (Yellow dot)  1' x 4-6' 30° F
Yucca pallida  2' x 3' 0° F
Yucca rupicola
(Twisted yucca) 		 2' x 3' 0° F
Zauschneria californica (Hummingbird bush)  2' x 3' Root hardy to 0° F
Zephryanthes candida (White rain lily)  1' x 1' Root hardy to 0° F
Zephyranthes grandiflora
(Pink rain lily) 		 1' x 1' Root hardy to 0° F
Zephyranthes sulphurea
(Yellow rain lily) 		 1' x 1' Root hardy to 0° F
Zexmenia hispida Devil’s River™  2’ x 3’ 10° F

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