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 - May 18, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Cacti and Succulents, Ferns, Wildflowers
Title: Hanging plants for Austin, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I'm looking for a hanging potted flower suggestion for Austin. Most locations are shaded under a large tree, but some locations may have several hours of afternoon sun. I'd love to see some hummingbirds and/or butterflies enjoying these flowers. Kindest regardsANSWER:
You seem to have walked into a really popular topic! To start with, we suggest you read two of our How-To Articles: A Guide to Native Plant Gardening and Container Gardening with Native Plants. I went tripping through the Mr Smart Plants archives and found advice for wedding plants, for hanging plants, for the sun and for the shade! Here’s the whole list of them, but I’ll go ahead and summarize following this list.
Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin
Living blooming plants for November wedding in Austin
Suitable container plants for Austin
Native plants for container gardens in Central Texas
Hanging container for west-facing house in Austin TX
Plants for hanging flower boxes from Austin
Container plants for part shade in Bee Cave TX
Texas native shade plants for metal troughs in Austin
Container plants for shade in Austin
Container plant for shade in Austin
Native plants for small pots in sun in Austin
Plants for big pots by pool in Austin
There are many recommendations above, it seems almost any native can be successfully grown in captivity – but here are some of the ones mentioned most frequently for the applications you mentioned:
Flowers: Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis), Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine), Chrysactinia mexicana (Damianita), Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy)
Cactus: Coryphantha echinus (Rhinoceros cactus), Coryphantha sulcata (Nipple cactus), Echinocereus coccineus var. coccineus (Scarlet hedgehog cactus)
Sun: Salvia greggii (Autumn sage), Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena), Pavonia lasiopetala (Rock rose), Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower), Capsicum annuum (Chile pequin)
Shade[ferns]: Dryopteris ludoviciana (Southern woodfern), Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon fern), Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern
From the Image Gallery
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Suitable container plants for Austin
October 23, 2012 - Hi, I see some info on native house plants, but not much. I live in an apartment that doesn't get much direct sun (maybe 2 hours a day) -- is there anything for me native-wise (Austin) if I have to h...
view the full question and answer
Replacements for yuccas from Georgetown TX
August 07, 2013 - I have lost some softleaf and variegated yucca to a beetle grub destroying the root system - like the Agave snout beetle does. I have put an insecticidal drench on my remaining plants, but suspect wi...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for full sun and low maintenance
May 13, 2006 - I have volunteered to plant flowers/bushes around a sign at my church. I want to plant indigenous plants so the maintenance is low but I also want attractive plants. The soil is clay and the locatio...
view the full question and answer
Need plants to replace cedars on a 40 degree slope in Boerne, TX.
August 28, 2012 - My backyard is a roughly 40 degree slope that is covered with cedars. The slope is basically all rock, what can I grow here to replace the cedar which drink too much water. I would still like the area...
view the full question and answer
Black bugs on yucca from Aledo TX
April 14, 2013 - We have flowering yuccas that have thousands of small black bugs that seem to be hurting the plant. They are not on any other foliage in our beds. What do I use to get rid of them??
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |