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
Tuesday - August 26, 2008
From: Benton City, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plant for eastern facing side of house in Washington
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I was considering putting some Lily of the Nile in front of the eastern facing side of my home. Is this plant a suitable choice for planting here in Eastern Washington?ANSWER:
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.) is native to South Africa so we wouldn't recommend them for planting since what we are about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to "increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes." You can see a list of more than 200 Washington Recommended native species that are commercially available for landscaping by clicking on Washington on the map on our Recommended Species page. Here are some choices from that list that you might consider instead of Lily of the Nile:
Iris missouriensis (Rocky Mountain iris)
Iris douglasiana (Douglas iris)
Brodiaea coronaria (crown brodiaea)
Camassia quamash (small camas)
Lilium columbianum (Columbia lily)
Maianthemum stellatum (starry false lily of the valley)
Triteleia grandiflora var. grandiflora (largeflower triteleia)
Aconitum columbianum (Columbian monkshood)
Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine)
Phacelia sericea (silky phacelia)
Aquilegia formosa (western columbine)
Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium (fireweed)
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Foundation garden in shade in Durham, NC
April 29, 2009 - I'm trying to replant a 3'x8' garden near the foundation of our house in Durham, NC. This part of the yard gets little, if any, sun and is mostly clay. I've tried adding compost and soil conditi...
view the full question and answer
Growing conditions for Giant Coneflower from San Antonio
August 09, 2013 - Rudbeckia maxima is considered to be a perennial plant for the sun but I have had a difficult time maintaining it in a pot in full sun before attempting to plant. Do you feel that it will survive and...
view the full question and answer
Trimming of Flame acanthus from Bastrop TX
February 17, 2012 - My flame acanthus never lost leaves off the bottom tier of branches this winter. With the brief warm weather and rain we've had, the top and middle tier of branches have all re-leafed. It is very l...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification from Springfield MA
July 19, 2009 - We have a house next to us that is vacant. The lawn has not been mowed in months. a tall flower has grown amongst the grass and weeds. It is about 3 to 4 feet tall green stem and the flower is about 2...
view the full question and answer
Range and adaptability of evening primrose from Tucson AZ
August 28, 2009 - What is the natural range of the evening primrose?
What adaptations does it have to live in the arid Southwest?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |