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 14, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Cacti and Succulents, Shrubs
Title: Plants for big pots by pool in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Could you please suggest some plants to put in big pots out by my pool? They will get lots of heat and sun. Thanks.ANSWER:
I'm not sure how big "big" is. Are the pots 10 gallon pots, 50 gallon pots, 100 gallon pots? It is important that you match the size of the pot to the size of the plant you want to grow in it. You should read our How-to Article, CONTAINER GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS, for important advice on growing plants in containers. I also suggest that you read the answer to a previous question about plants for a 100-gallon pot by pool in Ft. Worth. Not only will the plants for your pots need to survive the heat and the sun in the summertime, but they will also need to withstand the winter cold temperatures. With these cautions in mind, here are several plants of various sizes that should fill the bill:
Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca) is evergreen and both heat and cold tolerant. The flower stalks are 5 feet tall.
Nolina texana (Texas sacahuista) is evergreen and both heat and cold tolerant. It is 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall.
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) is evergreen and both heat and cold tolerant. It can grow 6 to 10 feet tall.
Chrysactinia mexicana (Damianita) is a smaller (1 to 2 feet) evergreen plant that is very drought-tolerant.
Dasylirion texanum (Texas sotol) is evergreen and both heat and cold tolerant. It is 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall for leaf structure and the flower stalk can be 9 to 15 feet tall.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) is evergreen and grows to 5 feet.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Evergreen shrubs for blocking car noise in Austin
January 18, 2009 - I live on Bee Caves road and was wondering what is the best tree/shrub I could use to block noise from cars? I've seen evergreen mentioned, is this the right one to plant? Also, if there are existing...
view the full question and answer
Hot Sunny Planter Suggestions for Florida
March 05, 2013 - We have a large, raised, concrete planter (about 15' L x 2' W) separating us from our condo neighbor in Clearwater, FL. We would like suggestions for shrubs that tolerate full sun and hot conditions...
view the full question and answer
Nutrient imbalance in Tecoma stans
October 18, 2007 - I have two Tecoma stans on the north-east side of my yard. They have grown very tall (5') but have not bloomed all summer. Last summer they bloomed profusely. Any idea what the problem might be?
view the full question and answer
Limiting erosion around pond from Brooklyn Park MN
May 20, 2013 - Minnesota resident, wants to find plant limit erosion from pond?
view the full question and answer
Suggestions for Texas native plants for memorial
June 30, 2005 - A dear friend of ours has passed and we would like some ideas of a native Texas plant we could plant in memory of her. It will be grown in the hill region near Houston. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |