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
Wednesday - May 13, 2009
From: Katy, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Native plants for border in Katy, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I live in Katy, TX. I am looking for a native plant for front of the border edging (approx 10 inches).ANSWER:
We assume you're looking for a perennial, low-growing plant, perhaps a blooming plant. You didn't say if you had sun (more than 6 hours of sun a day), part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun) or shade (less than 2 hours of sun). So, we will make some suggestions, and include the growing conditions they need and you can go from there. Because at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we are committed to the use, care and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown, we will go to Recommended Species, click on East Texas, and search on "herbs" (herbaceous blooming plants) under Habit, and "perennial" under duration. You can use the same technique to find other plants that suit your purposes better.
Callirhoe involucrata (purple poppymallow) - evergreen to 12 inches tall, blooms white, pink, purple March to June, medium water use, sun or part shade
Glandularia bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain) - deciduous to 12 inches tall, blooms purple, violet March to October, medium water use, part shade
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies) - semi-evergreen to 18 inches tall, blooms white, pink February to July, medium water use, sun
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox) - evergreen, to 18 inches tall, blooms white, red, pink, purple March to May, medium water use, part shade or shade
Phlox pilosa (downy phlox) - to 18 inches tall, blooms white, pink, purple March to May, low water use, sun or part shade
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Cutting back achillea in New York
March 18, 2009 - Last summer I planted three gorgeous hearty achillea with flat, yellow tops, about 3 feet high or more each, in my sunny garden. But after they were done flowering, I left those very pretty brown stem...
view the full question and answer
Berms to hold water around roots
December 05, 2008 - I planted new flower beds this November. There are currently dirt 'berms' around each plant - creating a well for water to seep into the immediate plant area. How can I keep these berms from erodi...
view the full question and answer
Salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas
September 16, 2009 - Do you have any suggestions for salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Companion planting with heartleaf skullcap from Arlington TX
April 24, 2011 - What can I plant with heart-leaf skullcap when it goes dormant in the summer?
view the full question and answer
Plants for hanging flower boxes from Austin
July 27, 2013 - I have two long flower boxes 17" x 15" x 25 feet long one on the north side of the apt and one on the south made of metal suspended about four feet from the ground. One will get the morning sun and ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |