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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - January 09, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Planting, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: wildflowers with interesting seed heads for winter interest
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking to establish a wildflower meadow this year, and I want to include wildflowers that have interesting seed heads for winter interest. What would be your recommendation? Thanks!ANSWER:
Preserving interesting plant parts for winter arrangements is a popular pastime. There are many local native plants well suited for the purpose. Monarda citriodora (Lemon beebalm), Solidago altissima (Tall goldenrod), Ratibida columnifera (Mexican hat), Anaphalis margaritacea (Western pearly everlasting), Arnoglossum plantagineum (Groovestem indian plantain), Baccharis neglecta (False willow), Vernonia lindheimeri (Woolly ironweed), Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworth's eryngo) and Euphorbia bicolor (Snow on the prairie) are common examples. And don't forget the often beautiful seed heads of grasses, such as Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass), Setaria scheelei (Southwestern bristlegrass),Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) and Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly). Often the centerpiece of the arrangement is seedpods of an agave, such as Agave americana (American century plant), Agave parryi (Parry's agave) or Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca).
Many plants or seeds of these species can be found at your local plant nurseries. Grass seeds are available from the Native American Seed.
From the Image Gallery
More Meadow Gardens Questions
When to reseed wildflowers in a drought year?
October 18, 2011 - My acreage with extensive wildflowers was mowed in 2010 before annuals had seeded. Only a few returned this year. Considering the predicted lonterm drought should I postpone reseeding this fall?
view the full question and answer
Wildflower field for sewage leach field from Olga Washington
August 01, 2012 - I am interested in planting a large native wildflower field at a resort in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. It would be over a sewage leach field for many cabins and bathrooms. Are there any ...
view the full question and answer
Herbicide use in bluebonnet field in Blanco, TX
April 10, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds. I’ve been throwing bluebonnet seeds for 6 years on our property near Blanco, and when it rains, as it has this year...
view the full question and answer
How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas
September 15, 2010 - I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcas...
view the full question and answer
Flowering plant for hillside in Brookings OR
April 16, 2009 - We live on the Chetco river and the bank in front of the house is on a hill. What would be a flowering plant that would maintain the integrity of the hill?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |