Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - July 14, 2007
From: Ocean View, DE
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Perennial native wildflowers in Delaware
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'd like to plant some perennial wildflowers around a fresh water pond near the beach in southern Delaware. Do you have some suggestions for native species that will grow in full sun? Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants assumes that the surrounding soil is sandy since you are near the beach and that the immediate area around the pond will be damp most of the time. Some of the species suggested below will do well in the moist areas and others will do better away from the damp soil.Moist soil
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Oenothera fruticosa (narrowleaf evening-primrose)
Solidago sempervirens (seaside goldenrod)
Drier soil
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)
Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine)
There are also several attractive grass and grass-like species that would do well in full sun and in areas that are moist.
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Carex stipata (owlfruit sedge)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
For more choices you can find a list of recommended species for Delaware from our Native Plants Database and you can narrow your search by specificying criteria that are important to you.
More Wildflowers Questions
Information on native plants in Canyon State Natural Area
April 21, 2006 - I am the Cubmaster for a Cub Scout Pack here in San Antonio. I am planning summertime activities for the kids this summer. One thing I have decided to do it take them on a hike in the new Government C...
view the full question and answer
Prime wildflower bloom viewing times in Texas
January 31, 2007 - I am planning to drive from Wisconsin to San Antonio in the spring. My schedule is flexible, so I would like to time the trip with the wildflower bloom. I grew up in Texas, but I can't remember when ...
view the full question and answer
Planting time for black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
April 18, 2007 - When is the best time to plant Black-eyed Susan seeds in Central Texas?
view the full question and answer
Planning a park along a railroad track in Williamston, SC
May 14, 2008 - We have a railroad track in Williamston, and we are cleaning up the park. Removing trees, planting flowers,shrubs. The track is on high ground and the Fire Dept. has burnt off the weeds. What kind of...
view the full question and answer
Neighborhood association wanting wildflowers mowed from Grand Prairie TX
July 14, 2013 - For at least 15 years, I have been fostering growth of wildflowers in 60% of my 90x400' yard which include 150' utility trunkline easement in which I can plant no trees. This year, we had volunteer ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |