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
Sunday - August 28, 2011
From: Dennis, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Drought tolerant plants for MA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We have some very very poor soil at our house on Cape Cod and are looking for plants that will take low water and sandy soil. Also we are high on a hill and quite exposed to the elements. The plot gets about 70-80% sun and is front of the side of the house that faces south. I know many people think of Rosa rugosa as native but we'd like to avoid using it as it considered invasive in some New England States.ANSWER:
You are right that Rosa rugosa is not a North American native, but is native to Asia. It is widely used in your part of the country as in its native habitat it grows near the coast often in sand dunes and is salt tolerant.
There are some other roses native to your area that would be suitable
Rosa acicularis (Prickly rose)
Rosa setigera (Climbing prairie rose)
as well as other shrubs, grasses and perennials. Grasses are particularly well suited to conditions like yours as they have fibrous root systems. You can search our Native Plant Database to find these plants by doing a Combination Search for Massachusetts and selecting your conditions (sunny and dry). You can generate lists of each plant type you are interested in that have links to more detailed information for each plant.
Some of the plants we think would be suitable are:
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark)
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac)
Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass) (although this may be too aggressive to be a good choice)
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie dropseed)
Although you will ultimately be limited by what is available in your nurseries there are also many perennials to choose from. Read the descriptions (especially growing conditions requirements) and only try the ones that are adaptable to many soil types. Also take your cues from nature and have a look at what is doing well in other gardens in your area.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
O.K. to grow grass under a live oak?
November 26, 2014 - Is it a bad idea to plant grass around a mature live oak? We have erosion issues and trying to keep mulch in the beds around the tree groves is a challenge, even with edging. Much of the native dirt...
view the full question and answer
When to mow native prairie grasses in Florence, Texas
July 01, 2010 - What is best time of year, if any, to mow a native grass prairie? 40 acre creek bottom planted with little bluestem, sideoats, prairie dropseed, love grass, switchgrass, bluegrama, sand dropseed plus...
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing vine for cinder block wall in Albuquerque
July 26, 2010 - I live in Albuquerque, N.M. and have a cement/cinder block wall and was wondering if there is a vine I can plant which will be easy to grow, grow fast and cover my wall without any type of help like a...
view the full question and answer
Care of buffalo grass after wet season
August 15, 2007 - I'm asking for your advice on what to do with my buffalo grass lawn. With
all this rain, I've managed to pull the weeds as they pop up in my
front yard, and it looks good, except for a couple of...
view the full question and answer
Thicken clumps of Panicum virgatum in Stafford VA
July 22, 2009 - I am growing Panicum Virgatum varieties that will be transplanted in September to form a Native American maze project. I have given the quart size starts a root fertilizer when I planted them to try ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |