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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - October 03, 2009
From: Cypress, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Vines
Title: Texas natives for a small garden with red flowers
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a garden that is 4' deep, what can I put there that is a Texas native, I would really like some color (preferably red)also it needs to be able to grow tall (8 - 10')ANSWER:
Most plants that are going to grow 8 to 10 feet tall are going to be woody plants, i.e., shrubs or small trees. Here are a few that have red blossoms and will do well in Harris County:
Aesculus pavia (red buckeye) grows up to 15 feet.
Erythrina herbacea (redcardinal) grows to 6 feet with beautiful red blossoms.
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) grows up to 30 feet.
Ilex decidua (possumhaw) produces red berries.
If you have a place for a vine, there are two that are evergreen and produce red flowers. On a trellis you could grow them to 8 to 10 feet.
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine)
There are a few perennial non-woody plants with red blossoms that grow relatively tall. Here are three:
Ipomopsis rubra (standing-cypress) up to 6 feet tall.
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower) up to 6 feet.
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow) can grow up to 9 feet tall.
Now, it is possible that you were looking for red fall foliage. If that is the case, you should send in another question to Mr. Smarty Plants and we will have another go at your request.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Dividing non-native daffodils from Austin
April 15, 2012 - The foliage on my daffodils is lush and healthy, but I have no blooms. Should I divide them?
view the full question and answer
Native perennials for Ft. Worth TX
March 17, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Pants,
I have two large planters around the back side of my saltwater pool where there is no decking. (sloped landscape) 8'long x 3' wide. I need low growing perennial plants that will ...
view the full question and answer
Flowers to bloom in next 4 months from Aransas Pass, TX
July 24, 2013 - Looking for seeds to put down that will bloom over the next 4 months or so in the southern gulf coast area
view the full question and answer
Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer
Small, flowering, evergreen plants for hillside in Austin.
October 27, 2007 - I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thr...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |