Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - February 12, 2012
From: San Angelo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Need perennials for front beds in south-facing house ib San Angelo, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
What perennials will work in my front beds of southern facing house in West Texas?ANSWER:
Let me introduce you to our Native Plant Database to help you with your plant selection. Click here to get to the Database and scroll down to the Combination Search box. Select Texas under State, Herb under Habit, and Perennial under Duration. Check Sun under Light Requirement since the house faces south, and Dry (or the condition that applies) under Soil Moisture. Click the Submit combination Search button and you will get a list of 180 native plant species that meet these criteria. You can get a different list by changing herb to shrub under Habit. You can also specify the desired height of the plants.
Clicking on the Scientific name of each plant will bring up its NPIN page that has a description of the plant along with growth characteristics and requirements. In most cases, there are images of the plant.
As you go through the list, pay attention to the plant’s growth requirements ( light, moisture, soil type, pH) its size,its bloom characteristics, etc.
For help a little closer to home you might contact the folks at the Tom Green County office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants for a sunny, dry slope in NY
March 01, 2010 - Looking for plants, native to area, that are quick growing to a height of approximately 6" to 12" for a steep slope comprised of shale in a sunny location.
view the full question and answer
Penstemon digitalis not blooming in Hebron, NE.
May 22, 2010 - My Beardtongue plants are too close together. Can I transplant my Penstemon digitalis now, even though the plant is approx. 20" tall? It is not blooming.
view the full question and answer
Stubs of Texas Star Hibiscus in Abilene, TX
March 26, 2009 - We have cut back our outdoor Texas Star Hibiscus for 4 years and now have a large number of old stubs that the new growth must navigate around. Will it kill the plant if we dig up the old stubs? At so...
view the full question and answer
Is horseherb toxic to chickens in Austin, TX?
November 05, 2012 - My yard is almost completely horseherb (straggler daisy, calyptocarpus vialis) and I am hoping you can tell me if this is safe for chickens to eat? As common as it is here, there is nothing I could fi...
view the full question and answer
Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin
January 21, 2010 - I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a ca...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
