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
Wednesday - January 22, 2014
From: Poth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Planting, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Wildflower Meadow for Poth, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I recently cleared some underbrush from a virgin pasture, with large oaks and mesquites scattered through it, and was wondering if it was too late to plant wildflowers? If not, what varieties of wildflowers could I plant to achieve a bloom this spring or summer? My ranch is located about 30 miles south of San Antonio. The soil is a red sandy loam. The area is about 3 acres and prepped for seeding.ANSWER:
It’s also quite possible, if you have prepared the area for planting, that dormant seeds present in the exposed soil will germinate and give you a bit of a natural bloom right away.
You are talking about creating what we call a Wildflower Meadow. For some extra information for you - There are some good reads in the “How-to” articles and several other “Mr Smarty Plants” question/answer pairs. Several of these are linked below:
When to plant wildflowers in California [not in TX but still good information]
Wildflower Garden for Driftwood, TX
Preparing for planting wildflower meadow in Austin
Timing for planting wildflower seeds in the Pacific Northwest
Re-vegetation of school site with meadow plants from Austin
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plant Identification from Decatur GA
June 14, 2012 - Hi: In early May 2012 we visited the Center--fantastic. There was a large shrub/tree with yellow blooms near a silo. Is it Retama? Also there was a lot of a purple blooming plant in with the conef...
view the full question and answer
Native Plants for a Shaded Patio Container in Missouri
April 17, 2015 - What kind of native plants would grow well in a pot on a fully shaded patio? I live in Kansas City, Missouri. The patio faces north and doesn't get any direct sunlight, but it gets lots of indirect...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for southwest side of house in Birmingham, AL
April 18, 2009 - I would like to know what I can plant on the southwest side of my house where there is a brick foundation and is really hot in the summer. I've tried irises and day lilies-not good. Suggestions?
view the full question and answer
When do you put out bluebonnet seeds in Bastrop, TX?
April 17, 2012 - When do you put out bluebonnet seeds?? I hear fall but don't the seeds pop out of dried up plants in early summer?
view the full question and answer
Transplant shock in Achillea millefolium
May 28, 2007 - I had a clump of yarrow in my garden and was worried that it would become very aggressive to the other plants. I decided to transplant it into large clay pots to control it. Immediately after the tran...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |