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
Thursday - April 03, 2008
From: staten island, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Suggestions for native perennials in Staten Island, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My back yard garden has a good base of evergreen shrubs and perennials all doing well in clayish soil and I am ready now to add color and texture in an area with partial sun. Can you suggest hardy perennial flowers that are are long lasting, tall and showy as well as some very tall ferns? Also, can you suggest a tree that is green all year, no leaves, that would survive the soil?ANSWER:
Before we begin, can we do a little term-defining? You referred to a tree that is "green all year, no leaves.." We trust you mean not a deciduous tree that drops its leaves in the Fall. Any tree is going to have to have some kind of leaves, to take the sun's energy and convert it into food for the plant to exist. Nobody likes to rake leaves, but they're great for compost piles, if you're into that.
We found a number of perennials native to New York that can grow in a clay soil, and four ferns. The tree situation was not quite so easy. As far north as you are, there are not many trees, including the conifers, that will stay green all year and still take the clay soil. We found a couple, and are going to suggest that you check out this Cornell University Department of Horticulture website on Trees and Shrubs. We weren't sure what county Staten Island is in, but it appeared that it is in Kings County, and we found this Cornell University Extension website on New York City. On one of those sites you should be able either to find a better list of trees suited to your situation, or a contact that can give you information. Click below on the plant name links and get the information on the webpage from our Native Plant Database. If you still need more information on the plant, go all the way to the bottom of the webpage and click on "Search Google for (plant name)".
PERENNIAL FLOWERING PLANTS
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Desmodium canadense (showy ticktrefoil)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Penstemon digitalis (talus slope penstemon)
Phacelia distans (distant phacelia)
Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple)
Rudbeckia laciniata (cutleaf coneflower)
FERNS
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
Osmunda regalis (royal fern) - Images
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)
Pteridium aquilinum (western brackenfern) - Images
TREES
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae) - Images
Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) - Images
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Problems with sunflowers in Florida
November 03, 2006 - I planted sunflowers on the west side of my house where I have previously planted them and they grew wonderfully. These new ones, however, seem to be dying, (less than 2 weeks). I bought the plants at...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for southwest side of house in Birmingham, AL
April 18, 2009 - I would like to know what I can plant on the southwest side of my house where there is a brick foundation and is really hot in the summer. I've tried irises and day lilies-not good. Suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Fan Scarlet-Cardinal
September 02, 2005 - I have a lobelia x speciosa (Fan Scarlet-Cardinal) plant and was wondering if I should dead head it after blossoming so that the plant continues to flower. Can you help?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Can bastard cabbage be eaten from Austin
May 02, 2013 - On a local cooking show they were talking about cooking local foods and mentioned bastard cabbage but never showed how to cook it or if it was in fact edible. Would be a way to help get rid of it if ...
view the full question and answer
Plants that smell like chocolate from Coral Gables FL
July 12, 2012 - I am looking for plants that smell like chocolate. I live in south Florida. We are currently growing and testing Berlandiera lyrata. Do you know of other plants whose flowers smell like chocolate?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |