If you've been struggling with bare spots under your live oaks or trying to figure out what to plant in those shady corners of your Fort Worth yard, you're not alone. As someone who's been working with local homeowners for years, I see this challenge all the time. The good news? There are some fantastic perennials that not only survive but absolutely thrive in our North Texas conditions.

I recently came across an excellent video from Jarratt at Shades of Green that covers this exact topic, and I wanted to share these insights with you because they're spot-on for what works for landscaping in Fort Worth. At New Day Landscaping, we've seen firsthand how the right plant choices can transform those problem areas into beautiful, low-maintenance spaces that our clients love.

Why Perennials Make Sense for Fort Worth Landscapes

Before we dive into the specific plants, let me tell you why I always recommend perennials to my clients. These plants come back year after year, which means you're making a one-time investment that pays dividends for seasons to come. In our Texas climate, where summers can be brutal and winters unpredictable, having plants that are proven performers just makes sense.

Over the years working in neighborhoods like Wedgwood, Overton Park, and Tanglewood, I've learned that the key is choosing plants that are either native to our area or have adapted well to our specific conditions. That's exactly what this list provides.

1. Dwarf Mexican Petunia - Perfect Ground Cover

Let's start with one of my go-to recommendations for clients who need something low-growing and reliable. The dwarf Mexican petunia is completely different from its aggressive cousin that you might be familiar with. This variety stays under six inches tall and spreads slowly through reseeding, making it perfect for borders in shady spots.

What I love about this plant is that it comes in purple, pink, and white, so you can actually create some color coordination in your landscape design. I've used this successfully under big trees where grass just won't grow.

2. Spiderwort 'Concord Grape' - Adaptable Beauty

Spiderwort is one of those plants that just works in so many situations. It's shade tolerant but can also handle some morning sun, which makes it perfect for those transitional areas in your yard. The 'Concord Grape' variety produces beautiful purple flowers from spring through summer.

Here's a pro tip I share with clients: if you cut it back in late summer, you'll get a second round of blooms. At 12-18 inches tall and spreading about 18 inches wide, it fills space nicely without taking over.

3. Golden Groundsel - Early Spring Color

This native plant is something special, and I always get excited when I can source it for clients. Golden Groundsel gives you those bright yellow blooms early in the spring when everything else is still waking up. It's drought tolerant, which means it'll go dormant during our dry spells but bounce right back when the rains return.

This one can be harder to find, but it's worth the effort. I've seen it slowly fill in bare spots through reseeding, creating natural-looking drifts that clients absolutely love.

4. Fragrant Phlox - Spring Showstopper

The phlox family is huge, but fragrant phlox stands out for Fort Worth gardens because it handles shade so well. Those pink spring blooms are not only beautiful in the garden, but they make fantastic cut flowers too.

At about 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, it's the perfect size for most residential landscapes. Every few years, you can divide it to expand your plantings or share with neighbors - which is always a nice way to build community.

5. Pigeonberry - Unique Color in Shade

Here's where things get interesting. Finding color for deep shade can be tough, but pigeonberry delivers with its brilliant red berries that show up from spring through fall. The tiny white flowers aren't much to look at, but those red berries are real eye-catchers.

It stays low at 12-18 inches tall but can spread up to 30 inches wide, making it great for filling larger areas under trees where nothing else wants to grow.

6. Texas Betony - Drought-Tough Performer

Those fuzzy leaves are your clue that this plant can handle dry conditions - and in Fort Worth, that's a valuable trait. Texas Betony works in both sun and shade, with coral tubular blooms that rise 1-3 feet high.

This plant prefers to stay on the dry side, which makes it perfect for those spots where irrigation is challenging. If you deadhead the spent blooms, you'll keep getting flowers throughout the growing season.

7. Zexmenia - The Reliable Workhorse

If I had to pick one plant from this list that I know will perform year after year without fail, it would be Zexmenia. This plant forms beautiful mounds about four feet wide and 18 inches tall, covered in bright yellow flowers that just keep coming from late April until the first freeze.

It performs well in shade, though it'll be a bit smaller than in sun. For mass plantings around large trees or along the side of your house, you really can't beat this plant for reliability and continuous color.

8. Inland Sea Oats - Graceful Movement

Sometimes you want something different in your landscape, and that's where Inland Sea Oats comes in. This shade-loving ornamental grass produces those distinctive seed pods that look like wheat and dance in the breeze.

At 24-30 inches tall and about 36 inches wide, it adds texture and movement to shade gardens. If you don't want it to spread by seed, just cut back those seed heads in early summer.

9. Columbine - Delicate Beauty

Columbines are real crowd-pleasers with their delicate, orchid-like flowers in yellow or red. These plants are perfect for shady spots and they'll self-seed to come back year after year.

Growing 2-2.5 feet tall and about 24 inches wide, they fit nicely into most garden designs. If they start looking messy in late spring, cutting them back to about a foot encourages fresh growth and keeps things tidy.

Making It Work in Your Fort Worth Landscape

The key to success with any of these perennials is understanding your specific site conditions. In my experience working throughout Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley, I've learned that even within the same neighborhood, conditions can vary quite a bit depending on drainage, soil type, and how much shade you're actually dealing with.

These plants give you options for creating beautiful, colorful spaces even in the most challenging spots. And once they're established, they require very little maintenance - which is exactly what most homeowners want.

Transform Your Challenging Shade Areas

Don't let those bare spots under your trees frustrate you any longer. With the right plant choices, even the shadiest corners of your Fort Worth property can become beautiful, low-maintenance spaces that you'll enjoy year-round. At New Day Landscaping, we've helped over 100 local families transform their challenging landscape areas, and we bring that same comprehensive care approach to every project.

Whether you're looking to tackle a complete landscape redesign or just want to solve those specific problem areas, we're here to help. We offer competitive prices and have a spirit of working together long-term, which means we're invested in creating solutions that will thrive for years to come. Ready to turn your landscape challenges into beautiful garden spaces? Contact us today at (817) 760-0479 or go to our website to schedule your free consultation!