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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - October 20, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Butterfly Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Milkweed recommendations for Austin, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live on thin limestone soil in Austin's NW Hills. I'd like to plant some milkweed to help the monarch butterflies in their migration. Which species should I plant, and are those available in our local nurseries or at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center? Or must I start with seeds - I'm not very successful planting seeds. Also, do the plants require full sun, or will part shade do? Most of my yard is pretty shady.ANSWER:
Awww - - You just missed it! The Wildflower Center just held its Fall Wildflower Sale last weekend – and they had two native varieties of Milkweed for Sale: Asclepias texana (Texas milkweed) and Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
[They were quite popular for the same reason that you want them, but you may want to give the Wildflower Center a call and see if they are available] Similarly, as many folks are interested in supporting the Monarchs, it is likely that your local native plant supplier would also have them in stock!
As natives recommended for this area – You can be comfortable that these varieties are well suited to our lovely thin limestone soil and seriously hot summers [not that they like it any more than we do!]
The growing conditions for Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed) gave:
GROWING CONDITIONS
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Tolerates drought.
With that, it looks like the sunnier areas of your yard would be the most successful, Asclepias texana (Texas milkweed) indicated it needed full sun.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants to grow between patio pavers
March 15, 2013 - We'd like to use poured concrete pavers for a deck. What grows well, whether it be grass or other, between these. We'll have 4-6" between 4 foot pavers. And would love to find something that does...
view the full question and answer
Trimming bloom stalks of iris
April 15, 2008 - Mr. Smarty: I live in Nevada, and have some very beautiful Iris plants. They have all blossomed and now I am left with stems. Is there any way I can cut them back so they blossom again? If so how shou...
view the full question and answer
Native Texas Plants for SC
June 22, 2015 - I just visited your beautiful facility for the first time and loved it! I'm planning to move to Charleston, SC and would love to replicate some of the wildflower and walkway areas I saw. Would the fo...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting Mexican bonebract in Floresville, TX
November 12, 2008 - My kids and I finally identified a small plant that we found growing in our pasture. There was only one and it is lovely. It is the Mexican Bonebract. What I am interested in finding out is how to tra...
view the full question and answer
Shade ground cover under honeysuckle from Wichita KS
February 21, 2012 - Hi! I know this is a bit odd, but I am trying to find a nontoxic, good ground covering plant that can live in the shade while competing with the roots of a whole bunch of honeysuckle. I have a few ide...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |