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
Sunday - April 29, 2007
From: abilene, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Native plants for Italianate garden
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I am looking at buying a house in Abilene, Texas that has an established burnt grass yard. The house is Italianate and requires bold plantings. Is there a way to establish a relatively Italinate garden and pots with native plants? There is an established border around the house of some ornamental shrub which is nice but obviously not native. There are no trees but I would add some. There is a trellis around the back pool for I think some grape climbers. The whole plot is at least 3 and 1/2 acres. I would appreciate some suggestions of mixing these two styles.ANSWER:
Here are some suggestions for plants that are native to Taylor County, Texas that should thrive and be attractive additions to your property.Trees
Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress)
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)
Quercus buckleyi (Buckley oak)
Quercus fusiformis (plateau oak)
Ulmus americana (American elm)
Shrubs/Small trees
Abutilon fruticosum (Texas Indian mallow)
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Chilopsis linearis (desert willow)
Rhus microphylla (littleleaf sumac)
Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican buckeye)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Herbaceous/Grasslike
Nolina texana (Texas beargrass)
Ephedra antisyphilitica (Mormon tea)
Ipomopsis rubra (Standing cypress)
Vines
Cissus trifoliata (Sorrelvine)
Ampelopsis cordata (Heartleaf peppervine)
Lonicera albiflora (Texas honeysuckle)
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Locating sources for bracken fern in New York
September 01, 2006 - I am looking for bracken fern plants to plant in my garden. Where can I find them?
view the full question and answer
Location of source for live white violets native to Virginia
March 20, 2006 - Dear Ms. Pants, I am in Austin & would like to buy a quantity of small live plants for decorative table top use in April, 2006. I need any variety of the wild woodlands-loving white violets that are n...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a source for native Texas plums
October 03, 2010 - Please provide a source for native Texas plums--I want to plant some in the Texas Hill Country.
view the full question and answer
Source for native plants in Margaretville NY
April 19, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants:
Thank you so much for your recommendations for the Margaretville, NY!!! I am thrilled with the colors of everything you recommended, especially the beautiful grasses and the shru...
view the full question and answer
Sources of seeds for Quercus buckleyi
August 02, 2007 - I'm looking for a source for Liners or seed of "Texas oak (Quercus buckleyi)". Can you tell me any sources?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |