What grows in the shade in hot, semi-humid weather?

Hostas make a great ground cover (Photo Courtesy of Burpee Seeds)

• 6 Bare Root Perennial Hostas, ready to grow
• Hostas will bloom summer through fall
• Hardy perennial - Perennial in zones 3 to 9
• Aesome shade plants

Very low maintenance perennial grows to about 18" & can spread between 32" to 36"

Don't know what zone you are in so this is a big list:

The coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), interior live oak (Q. wislizeni) and canyon live oak (Q. chrysolepis) are native California species also used for landscaping. U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones for these oaks are 8 through 10 for coast live oak, 6 through 10 for interior live oak, and 7 through 9 for canyon live oak. Native plants are also the best choices for live oak companion shrubs, because they won't need summer water. Shade-tolerant choices include shrubs with beautiful flowers and colorful fruit. Toyon or California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia) produces long-lasting red winter berries. It grows in USDA zones 9 through 11. There are many varieties of wild lilac (Ceanothus species and cultivars) with blue or white flowers suitable for USDA zones 8 through 11. Some yellow-flowered shrubs are bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), fremontia (Fremontodendron spp.) and encelia (Encelia californica), all hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10. Shrubby monkey flowers (Diplacus spp. and cultivars) have flowers in shades of yellow, red and orange and attract hummingbirds. The monkey flower grows in USDA zones 7 through 10.

Shrubs for Southern Live Oaks

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is native to the southeastern United States. It has large cones of long-lasting white flowers in spring, which turn pink or purple later in the season. Stronger-colored cultivars are available. Oakleaf hydrangea grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 and is deciduous in the colder zones, where it reveals its attractive peeling bark. Barbados cherry, also called acerola (Malpighia glabra), is native to the Caribbean and South and Central America in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. Evergreen leaves produce attractive pink flowers in spring and summer, followed by glistening round red berries. Mahonia (Mahonia spp. and cultivars) grows well in shade to partial shade and tolerates summer moisture. They have yellow flowers in late winter or early spring followed by blue fruits, and grow in USDA zones 7 through 9, depending on the species.

Call your nearby college extension service. They should be in the Yellow Pages. Oak is acidic so I'd assume anything near it should like an acid soil.

what is your location for the correct answer

Sorry, but oaks will often produce a "poison" so that nothing grows under them once they're established. Using large containers or boxes can add color (impatiens are lovely under trees).

hydrangeas and azaleas - both love acidic soil so oak leaves are a plus

There are many different kind of "Hostas" all do well in shade. Day lilies will grow in shade , but only bloom in spring, Ferns,do well All will needed watered as the tree takes most of the water out of the soil

Thank you! Good point. Sad, But, may well save me lots of "issues" later!

Yes, Thank you to everyone. I'm really new at this SW living, but highly adaptable and love all your suggestions. Can't wait to get started!

Try this site!

https://www.easyshadegardening.com/