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 - May 18, 2008
From: Fitchburg, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native plants for gravesite in North Central Massachusetts
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I live in North Central Mass. Would like to plant something on my parents gravesite that would not be invasive or require a lot of care. Any suggestions? I just took 2 shrubs out that had become way overgrown so don't really want any more shrubs.ANSWER:
We're assuming you did not want to plant trees there, and we don't know what the conditions are: wet, dry, sun, shade, etc. so you will need to click on the Latin name of each plant we suggest to see what conditions that plant can tolerate.
First, we're going to look for some herbaceous perennial plants that might work for you. You can look at the whole list by clicking on Recommended Species in the drop-down menu under "Explore Plants" and click on the state in the US map. Click on "Narrow Your Search", then Massachusetts and ask for herbs as the habit and perennial for duration. You can also designate amount of sun exposure and soil moisture, which we couldn't do. From this list, we selected eight, including a couple of ferns in case it's shady, that we thought would work for you.
Now, if you want something that will hold its place and have some appearance year-round, especially in Massachusetts, you might reconsider shrubs. Again, we'll go to Recommended Species and repeat the search criteria, this time asking for shrubs. We went through that list and chose five that are low growing and slow growing, and so shouldn't get out of bounds. Of course, we're recommending native plants because we already know they can grow there, and therefore, won't need as much care as imported exotics.
Finally, go to Suppliers in the same drop-down menu, type in the name and state you live in on the Location Search line, and you will get a list of native plant suppliers in your area.
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
Anaphalis margaritacea (western pearly everlasting) - 1-3 ft. tall, blooms June to October
Desmodium canadense (showy ticktrefoil) - 2-6 ft. tall, blooms June - September
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) - trailing evergreen, up to 2 ft. tall, blooms June to August
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot) - 1 to 3 ft., blooms May to September
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern) - evergreen, up to 6 ft.
Phlox subulata (moss phlox) - evergreen, forms mat, blooms March to June
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) - evergreen, 1 t 2 ft. tall
Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) - evergreen, 2 to 8 ft. tall. Pictures of Ostrich fern
SHRUBS
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick) - evergreen, low and spreading 1 to 3 ftl tall
Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (shrubby cinquefoil) deciduous, 3 to 4 ft.
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry) - evergreen, 1 to 3 ft.
Rosa acicularis (prickly rose) - up to 4 ft. tall, deciduous
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry) - deciduous, 1 to 3 ft. tall
More Shrubs Questions
Possumhaw losing leaves in Liberty Hill, TX.
July 11, 2011 - I have two female possumhaw trees and one of them is losing its leaves. I planted both of them in February and they were doing very well, getting green and full. What's happening?
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep slope in California
November 13, 2010 - Where do I find out about the specific root structure of various California native plants? Are there shrubs that have tap roots & hence are good for steep slopes? The genus of any such plants that y...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrubs for foundation plants
June 02, 2010 - Can you recommend any evergreen shrubs that would work as foundation plants in front of windows, so preferably below 4' tall? I would love a native plant, and of course anything for the birds and be...
view the full question and answer
Xeriscaping in clay on a slope in Fort Worth
April 06, 2006 - Xeriscaping in clay (Fort Worth) on a slope --
Please offer suggestions and publications.
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Did Mexican fire bush (Hamelia patens) survive winter cold?
May 05, 2010 - I have a Mexican fire bush that I planted last spring and it bloomed beautifully last summer. It browned and we cut it back to the ground. Right now it's showing no signs of life and I'm afraid it m...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |