Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - July 03, 2015

From: Alexander City, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Wildflowers
Title: Wedding Flowers for Alabama
Answered by: Larry Larson

QUESTION:

I am considering planting wildflowers for my wedding in early/middle May of 2016. Could I plant seed this fall and have bloom by late April in time for my May wedding?

ANSWER:

Your timing is actually pretty good for this!   Mr Smarty Plants normally doesn’t recommend planting Wildflowers as people ask the question at the wrong time and when [and how well] they flower is highly dependent on the weather.

 As a small correction, the wildflowers seed themselves pretty much right now, so don't wait until Fall.  If you are going to do it, now is the time! Of course, make sure you have backup plans for a drought or inaspicioious hailstorm or whatever.

 May we suggest some good candidates?  You can search the Special Collection for Alabama and select “Herbs” that bloom in April and May.  When I did this, I found 16 candidates!  Check out the pictures I have added below and you should try it yourself to review the other candidates.

 

From the Image Gallery


Common yarrow
Achillea millefolium

Butterflyweed
Asclepias tuberosa

Plains coreopsis
Coreopsis tinctoria

Eastern purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea

Cardinal flower
Lobelia cardinalis

Lemon beebalm
Monarda citriodora

Pink evening primrose
Oenothera speciosa

Birdfoot violet
Viola pedata

More Planting Questions

Drought affecting native trees from The Woodlands
August 18, 2011 - I've been trying to grow native trees in my yard for the past 3 years and I'm starting to question whether the amount of time required to spend watering them during the long hot season in Texas is r...
view the full question and answer

Transplanted crabapple tree problems in Alberta
June 18, 2009 - We transplanted a crabapple tree a couple of weeks ago. There was an abundance of clay in the soil where it was re-planted and even with all the watering, it isn't doing well. Any suggestions on how ...
view the full question and answer

When Should Wildflower Seeds be Planted in Dallas, Texas
November 28, 2011 - Mr. Pants: I have received some seed packets of wildflower seeds from GO TEXAN. How late can I plant these in central Dallas (8 a/b)?
view the full question and answer

Space between trees from Blythewood SC
April 05, 2013 - I'm planting 4 green giants in a back corner of my yard. I also have a kumquat tree to plant. I have somewhat limited space. What is the minimum spacing between the four green giants and the green gi...
view the full question and answer

Eastern redcedar uprooted by snow in Arlington, TX
February 14, 2010 - During the recent snowstorm one of our juniperus virginiana fell over with the rootball looking intact and with a lot of soil all around it.Should we try to save it? It is approximately 20 feet tall ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.