By Gail Dugelby.  There are plenty of flowering plants and grasses that are made for the shade— and they save water, too! Bermuda grass and zoysia need sun — and lots of it. Expecting these turf grasses to grow in deep shade is like expecting a fish to live out of water. It’s not going to happen. As you look at the deep shady area of your yard, you notice the grass has never done well there — and it isn’t getting any better as time goes on.Whether it’s an area up against your house or a spot where a tree has grown a massive canopy, constant shade is not a friend to grass.

The first rule of gardening is “plant the right plant in the right place,” but the second rule of garden design is “plant tall in the back, medium in the middle and shorties in front,” just like family photos!

Let’s explore 20 water-saving, shade-loving plants from small to tall. (Bonus: the ones marked with an asterisk are eligible for SAWS WaterSaver Landscape Coupon.)

• Monkey grass Ophiopogon japonicus, 6-inch full shade to partial sun/shade, spreads and fills out through runners.

• Turf sedge* Carex spp., 6-10-inch. Resembles turfgrass but outperforms it in dry shade.

• Clover fern Marsilea macropoda, 4-8-inch partial sun/shade, delicate-looking, clover-like fern, informal groundcover.

• Frogfruit* Phyla nodiflora, 6-12-inch full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts pollinators.

• Thyme Thymus vulgaris, 12-18-inch full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts bees and pollinators, edible herb, informal groundcover.

• Inland sea oats* Chasmanthium latifolium, 12-24-inch full shade to partial sun/shade, attracts birds, delicate nodding seed head.

• Asparagus fern* Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri,’ 18-24-inch full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts birds.

• Foxtail fern* Asparagus densiflorus ‘Meyersii,’ 18-24-inch partial sun/shade, branches of needle-like leaves that truly look like a bushy fox’s tail.

• Cedar sage* Salvia roemeriana, 1-2-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.

• Bearded iris* Iris germanica, 1-3-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering (color varies), evergreen.

• Scarlet sage* Salvia coccinea, 1-3-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds.

• Betony Stachys coccinea, 1-3 foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.

• Shrimp plant* Justicia brandegeeana, 2-3-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds.

• Giant blue sage* Salvia guaranitica, 2-5-foot partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds.

• Turk’s cap* Malvaviscus drummondii, 2-5-foot full to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts hummingbirds.

• Split-leaf philodendron Philodendron selloum, 2-5-foot full shade, big, bold understory specimen, a nice centerpiece in shade under oak trees.

• American beautyberry Callicarpa americana, 3-5-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, attracts birds, bright purple berries.

• Eve’s necklace Styphnolobium affine, 15-20-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts pollinators.

• Yaupon holly* Ilex vomitoria, 10-25-foot full shade to partial sun/shade, flowering, attracts birds, bright red berries.

• Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia, a climbing vine 5-50-feet tall, full shade to partial sun/shade, attracts birds.

Now that you have great plant choices, consider how you’ll complete your new shady spot. You can add a flagstone path, install a bench or create a small outdoor living area with pavers. Then add your favorite outdoor chairs and you have an oasis made in the shade!

Gail Dugelby is a SAWS conservation consultant with deep roots in San Antonio and the Hill Country. She spent her youth climbing trees, playing in the Guadalupe River, and exploring the outdoors. This drives her passion for nature and our diverse environment, especially our most precious natural resource — water. Given the choice, she would be outside all the time.