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 - March 07, 2007
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Rain Gardens
Title: Native Texas plants for rain gardens
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in very shady and partial shade rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?ANSWER:
Rain garden plants need to be able to tolerate growing in standing water, but also need to be able to thrive when the water dries up. The plants below should meet those criteria and will do well in partial shade (2 to 6 hours sun per day). Plus, the violets (Viola soria) and groundnut (Apios americana) will do well in complete shade (<2 hours of sun per day):GRASSES/GRASS-LIKE:
Inland sea oats, Chasmanthium latifolium
Eastern gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides
BUSHES/SMALL TREES:
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis
Roughleaf dogwood, Cornus drummondii
False indigo, Amorpha fruticosa
Marshmallow hibiscus, Hibiscus moscheutos
Scarlet rose mallow, Hibiscus laevis
Palmetto, Sabal minor
Baccharis, Baccharis halimifolia
VINES:
Groundnut, Apios americana
TALL HERBACEOUS:
American waterwillow, Justicia americana
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Physostegia sp. (e.g., Obedient plant, P. intermedia)
Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
Blue water leaf, Hydrolea ovata
American germander, Teucrium canadense
LOW HERBACEOUS:
Meadow violet, Viola sororia
Phyla sp. (e.g., Texas frogfruit, P. nodiflora)
Water clover, Marsilea vestita
More Rain Gardens Questions
Rain garden plants for DC
March 23, 2011 - Please recommend deep-rooted, native, perennial plants, 1-3 feet high, for an area that is moist and gets approximately 3 hours of day of afternoon sun. During rain storms this garden is in a low area...
view the full question and answer
Rain garden Plants for Colorado
April 22, 2010 - Can you recommend native plants for a rain garden in Colorado Springs
view the full question and answer
What plants can absorb the excess water in my back yard?
February 20, 2009 - I am looking for any plants and trees that can absorb the excess water in my back yard. There is a large area that is swampy and always wet. Could you please provide me some suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Native plants for a bioswale in Indianapolis
March 07, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Can you please recommend the types of plants I should use in a bioswale or rain garden in Indiana?
view the full question and answer
Rain garden for South Austin
March 01, 2010 - I have a TINY yard in south Austin. It is 8'x25', sandwiched between four houses and happens to be at the lowest elevation, so all of the neighbor's yards drain to ours. Originally, we had bermud...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |