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 04, 2009
From: Beacon, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrubs growing in riparian areas of Hudson River, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What are the five most common native shrubs that grow in riparian areas in Hudson Valley? Interested especially in plants that grow near/along the Hudson River (as opposed to inland woodland freshwater tributaries). Thank you!ANSWER:
We are not familiar enough with the geography of New York to be as specific as you might like us to be. We located Beacon, in Duchess County and also the route of the Hudson River. Since we understand that quite a bit of the Hudson is actually considered an estuary, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more streams flowing into it and free connection to the sea, that adds to our puzzle. Probably the best we can do is see how many shrubs we can locate that tolerate very wet soils and are native to areas along the Hudson. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the use, care and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown.
In terms of "common" shrubs, we have no idea which would be most common, and don't know how you would find out without getting out and counting. You could contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office Dutchess County to see if they have any information on riparian species.
You might be interested in these websites:
Natural History of the Hudson River - the river that runs both ways, a portion of the website A Virtual Trip on the Historic Hudson River.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden New York Metropolitan Flora Project
The Nature Conservancy Hudson River Estuary Program
Wetland Shrubs Native to New York Along the Hudson River
Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
Chamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf)
Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush)
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)
Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea)
Salix humilis (prairie willow)
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (common elderberry)
Pictures from our Native Plant Database Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Plants for a bank too steep to mow
June 24, 2009 - Like the inquiry made in late June of 2008, mine involves a bank that is too steep to mow. However, ours is facing south. I am looking for a native grass, plant or groundcover. Any suggestions?
...
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
Reason for decline of Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) in Virginia
March 30, 2007 - We have Wax Myrtle bushes in our back yard. They were about 2 feet tall when planted 2 years ago and now are about 7-8 feet tall. The leaves have turned brown and are dropping essentially denuding the...
view the full question and answer
Will shoes pick up American Beautyberry fruit and stain carpets?
March 21, 2010 - Do the berries from American Beautyberry fall on the ground so your shoes pick up the berries to stain the carpet in my house?
view the full question and answer
Tree for on top of sewer lines from San Antonio
March 16, 2013 - I am looking for an evergreen small tree with taproot to plant in a very small front yard near the sidewalk and possibly on top of or nearly on top of sewer lines. Would a Mt. Laurel be the choice? ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |