Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - July 29, 2010

From: Starkville, MS
Region: Southeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Native plants for cutting garden in Starkville MS
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I would like to know the native plants to put in a cutting garden.

ANSWER:

We went  to Recommended Species, clicked on Mississippi on the map, and searched on "herb" (herbaceous blooming plants),  then checked to see if they are native to the area in and around Oktibbe (would love to hear how that's pronounced) County MS. Since you did not indicate the amount of sunlight available, you will need to follow each plant link to the page on that plant in the database. You can learn the amount of light it needs, how much water, expected size, bloom time and color from those web pages.

You may find other cutting garden suggestions from this website from the North Mississippi Native Plant Society. 

The volunteers who make the flower arrangements from our gardens at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also often put in grasses, branches with berries on them and/or just bare branches with interesting shapes. 

Native Plants for Cutting Gardens in Starksville, MS:

Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)

Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)

Eupatorium serotinum (lateflowering thoroughwort)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)

Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)

Packera obovata (roundleaf ragwort)

Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern)

Lilium michauxii (Carolina lily)

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Conoclinium coelestinum

Echinacea purpurea

Eupatorium serotinum

Lobelia cardinalis

Monarda fistulosa

Packera obovata

Athyrium filix-femina

Lilium michauxii

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Landscaping around a pear tree in Tyler, TX.
September 22, 2010 - We have a large raised flower bed, approximately ten feet by ten feet, surrounding a mature flowering pear tree. Do you have any suggestions for landscaping with native plants in this bed?
view the full question and answer

Pruning Lyreleaf Sage from McAllen TX
April 14, 2013 - I planted a few Lyre Leaf Sage last year and they bloomed beautifully. I let them seed out and had a number of new plants show up this year. I have never cut the flower/seed stalks back and now that ...
view the full question and answer

Drought-resistant ground cover for Massachusetts
July 11, 2012 - Mr Smarty Plants I am looking for drought resistant,low maintenance ground cover for a LEED certified project in Florence MA. Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer

Getting rid of Mexican Petunia in Chorpus Christi, TX
March 05, 2016 - What is the best way to get rid of unwanted Mexican Petunia that keeps spreading to unwanted areas of my flower beds?
view the full question and answer

Death of Texas Betony and Blackfoot Daisy from Austin
April 18, 2013 - I have one small area that there are two plants - Texas Betony and Blackfoot Daisy withered and died eventually. Same kinds of plants are doing fine close by. It is my front yard close to walk way.I w...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.