Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - February 10, 2009
From: Severn, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Native shrub to replace non-native azaleas.
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I want to replace my two dozen azaleas this spring (I think they're unattractive once the flowers fall off). I like the multiseason characteristics of weigela (midnight wine, W&R), but want to go native. Can you suggest a native alternative to these compact oriental beauties?ANSWER:
Among the most difficult requests we receive are those for landscape plant recommendations.. Some of the issues to consider when choosing a new plant for your landscape are how the landscape will is used, how the plant will fit with other plants and features in the landscape, ultimate size of the new plant, soil, water, nutrition and maintenance needs of the plant, potential insect, disease, and pets and children poisoning problems, and, of course, personal aesthetic considerations. Unfortunately, we cannot answer many of those questions; only you, the owner can do that. However, we can make some suggestions for some plants that might work for you. Here is a list of selected Maryland native plant species. One or more of these plants might work for you as a replacement for your azaleas.
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry),
Calycanthus floridus (eastern sweetshrub),
Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea),
Clethra alnifolia (coastal sweetpepperbush),
Diervilla lonicera (northern bush honeysuckle),
Eubotrys racemosa (swamp doghobble),
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort),
Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire),
Paxistima canbyi (Canby's mountain-lover),
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark),
Rhododendron arborescens (smooth azalea),
Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea),
Rhododendron prinophyllum (early azalea),
Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea),
Spiraea alba (white meadowsweet),
Spiraea betulifolia (white spirea),
Spiraea tomentosa (steeplebush),
Symphoricarpos albus (common snowberry),
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry),
Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry)
More Shrubs Questions
Landscaping help for Gilmer, TX
September 01, 2008 - We have just moved to the beautiful hot state of Texas from warm California and we need some help! Our roses are dying, we have a patch about 25ft. by 3ft. that gets the rain run off like a little str...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen Deck Plant for Oregon
May 29, 2011 - Need evergreen shrub to grow in shade in container 5ft tall for deck.
view the full question and answer
Eradication of mahonia repens
July 27, 2008 - What is the best way to kill and/or remove mahonia repens?
view the full question and answer
Native shrub for north window in Austin, TX
March 23, 2008 - Hello. I am trying to find a native shrub to provide privacy next to a low north-facing window and protection from northerly winds in the winter. I would like to find a shrub with a maximum height o...
view the full question and answer
Need a shrub to conceal a privacy fence in Knightdale, NC.
August 03, 2011 - Could you recommend a medium-sized shrub/bush (max height of 6-7 feet) to plant along a privacy fence (purpose is to conceal the fence from the street view per HOA)? I live in Zone 8.
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
