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
Wednesday - February 25, 2015
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Water Gardens, Problem Plants, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants to replace Phragmites australis (Common reed) in Cedar Ridge Preserve
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in the DFW area and volunteer at a preserve (Cedar Ridge). We are constantly battling the common reed, Phragmites australis, around the pond. I am wondering what should be growing around it and if you know where such plants can be sourced. Thanks.ANSWER:
Below are some native plants that grow in wet soils and are shown to occur in Dallas County by the USDA Plants Database that should grow well in the same area as the Phragmites australis (Common reed). All of these are commerically available.
GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE SPECIES
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Eleocharis palustris (Common spikerush)
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
Schoenoplectus californicus (California bulrush)
AQUATIC AND SEMI-AQUATIC HERBAL PLANTS
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed)
Dyschoriste linearis (Snake herb)
Equisetum hyemale (Scouringrush horsetail)
Justicia americana (American water-willow)
Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed)
To find these plants I recommend searching in our National Suppliers Directory. To search for nurseries or seed companies in your area, first click on the "List All Suppliers" link. When the list comes up, then put "Dallas Texas" in the Enter Search Location slot to get a list of Texas native plant suppliers.
Some of the aquatics are going to be more difficult to find. I recommend that you contact the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) chapters near you to see if they have ideas about resources for these particular plants in your area. Here are the webpages for some of those that are near you:
Collin County Chapter of NPSOT
Cross Timbers Chapter (Weatherford) of NPSOT
North Central Texas Chapter of NPSOT
Trinity Forks Chapter (Denton) of NPSOT
Pond societies such as the North Texas Water Garden Society might be able lead you to sources for aquatic natives.
More Water Gardens Questions
Need help replacing a non-functioning pond in Houston, TX.
March 30, 2010 - I have a non-functioning, shell-shaped, concrete pond in a shaded part of my backyard that has been a great place to grow mosquitoes since I got this place. I have decided that it is time for a chang...
view the full question and answer
Aquatic Plants for a Small Pond in Missouri
June 11, 2015 - We have a small backyard pond (4' x 5' x 2' deep) with a shelf for marginal plants, and a pump that feeds a nice little creek and waterfall into the pond. We don't really want fish, but we'd lik...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for retention pond in Michigan
June 10, 2008 - What native plants would you recommend a for a southeast Michigan retention pond perimeter? Also are there native water plants that help algae control? The pond is about 75x30 feet and ranging from ...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for a pond in MO
September 10, 2011 - I have a spring fed pond in Missouri and would like to plant perennial wildflowers in the area around it. Are there any that would do better or others that are not recommended?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Water absorbing plant from Surbiton, England
May 21, 2011 - Ground soggy with rain, is there a plant that will absorb water?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |