what plants do better in the shade?

Question

We have an automatic water sprinkler but do live in the dry west Texas area. So if anyone knows of any good plants for this type of area would be great.

Answer 1

Texas A&M has one of the best sites for new gardeners! They have a flower and plant guide for West Texas. Good luck!

Answer 2

Forget the irrigation issue, forget the shade issues, your problem is a soil issue.
This is going to sound simple, silly, and profound at the same time! When I go to design a site I go there in the morning, afternoon, and night. I survey the surrounding sites to see what does and what does not survive. Sometimes I find that people are trying to force plants to grow in areas they simply can not grow in.
Go for a walk, when you can, and note what plants you see that are doing well in both your area and the shade. Most people would be glad to tell you of the plant itself and how well it grows if you ask them. You may even make new friends on you journey to a garden.
In Landscape there is no such thing as the wrong plant, rather, the wrong place!! To detail a specific plant is useless until you gain an understanding of what exacty does grow in your area.
For example, the earlier Hosta, get a grip. It grows well in shade, however, it grows better in sun. Dogwoods (kousa) do fine in the undercover of a forest, however, put them in a full sun and find the splendor of their growth.
All around you are trees, shrubs, flowers that do well in your area and shade. Look around for yourself!! To this day people pay me money to do just this. I come, I see, I can say do this or that, but, in the end all it was was me looking around.
There are many special shade plantings that are available. I can help you with them knowing your region/area, soil type, etc. W.Texas can be either sand or pure rock in nature. Do you want flowering trees,shrubs, or flowers, or an evergreen garden?
I am at [e-mail].

Answer 3

The Breck's website has a plant finder:

http://www.brecks.com/search.asp?t=pf

that can help you find some plants that would do well in your area. You seem to be in USDA Hardiness Zone 9 ... you can double check that at:

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

*~ Good luck 'n ENJOY!! ~*

Answer 4

Hosta
Bleeding heart
Ferns
Some roses (need at least 5 hours of sun)
Day Lilies
Perennial phlox
Begonia
impatiens

All of these do well in the shade but do need at least a few hours of sun or dappled light to bloom.

Answer 5

Azaeleas

Answer 6

go with rmonarch and sptfyr's answers. I'd like to suggest caladiums and astilbes as well.

Answer 7

hostas

Answer 8

ferns