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 - February 25, 2015
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Water Gardens, Problem Plants, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants to replace Phragmites australis (Common reed) in Cedar Ridge Preserve
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in the DFW area and volunteer at a preserve (Cedar Ridge). We are constantly battling the common reed, Phragmites australis, around the pond. I am wondering what should be growing around it and if you know where such plants can be sourced. Thanks.ANSWER:
Below are some native plants that grow in wet soils and are shown to occur in Dallas County by the USDA Plants Database that should grow well in the same area as the Phragmites australis (Common reed). All of these are commerically available.
GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE SPECIES
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Eleocharis palustris (Common spikerush)
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
Schoenoplectus californicus (California bulrush)
AQUATIC AND SEMI-AQUATIC HERBAL PLANTS
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed)
Dyschoriste linearis (Snake herb)
Equisetum hyemale (Scouringrush horsetail)
Justicia americana (American water-willow)
Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed)
To find these plants I recommend searching in our National Suppliers Directory. To search for nurseries or seed companies in your area, first click on the "List All Suppliers" link. When the list comes up, then put "Dallas Texas" in the Enter Search Location slot to get a list of Texas native plant suppliers.
Some of the aquatics are going to be more difficult to find. I recommend that you contact the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) chapters near you to see if they have ideas about resources for these particular plants in your area. Here are the webpages for some of those that are near you:
Collin County Chapter of NPSOT
Cross Timbers Chapter (Weatherford) of NPSOT
North Central Texas Chapter of NPSOT
Trinity Forks Chapter (Denton) of NPSOT
Pond societies such as the North Texas Water Garden Society might be able lead you to sources for aquatic natives.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Thunderturf turning brown in Dallas
November 16, 2014 - Thunder Turf turning brown in Dallas, TX:
Hi there. I planted new Thunder Turf seed in my entire back yard this past spring. It grew incredibly strong and abundant all summer until about September ...
view the full question and answer
Can Gulf Muhly grow in California from Walnut Creek CA
February 10, 2014 - I live in Walnut Creek, California, and recently learned about Muhlenbergia capillaris. It's a beautiful grass. Would this native do well here?
view the full question and answer
Nassella tenuissima for Woodland Hills CA
June 30, 2013 - Good afternoon, I wanted to purchase some already grown Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) and was wondering how often and for how long I would need to water said grass on a scheduled sprinkl...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control for a North Carolina creek side
February 29, 2012 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I noticed a question on your website recommending NC native grasses and plants to help prevent erosion on a sloping backyard, including the use of an erosion blanket. The pl...
view the full question and answer
Steep slope from Charlotte NC
May 03, 2012 - I live near Charlotte, NC and I have a very steep sloped area from the edge of our front yard down to the road. It's a huge eyesore mainly because it is red clay dirt and has nothing growing on it. W...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |