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
Friday - January 09, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Planting, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: wildflowers with interesting seed heads for winter interest
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking to establish a wildflower meadow this year, and I want to include wildflowers that have interesting seed heads for winter interest. What would be your recommendation? Thanks!ANSWER:
Preserving interesting plant parts for winter arrangements is a popular pastime. There are many local native plants well suited for the purpose. Monarda citriodora (Lemon beebalm), Solidago altissima (Tall goldenrod), Ratibida columnifera (Mexican hat), Anaphalis margaritacea (Western pearly everlasting), Arnoglossum plantagineum (Groovestem indian plantain), Baccharis neglecta (False willow), Vernonia lindheimeri (Woolly ironweed), Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworth's eryngo) and Euphorbia bicolor (Snow on the prairie) are common examples. And don't forget the often beautiful seed heads of grasses, such as Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass), Setaria scheelei (Southwestern bristlegrass),Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) and Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly). Often the centerpiece of the arrangement is seedpods of an agave, such as Agave americana (American century plant), Agave parryi (Parry's agave) or Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca).
Many plants or seeds of these species can be found at your local plant nurseries. Grass seeds are available from the Native American Seed.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plant ID at the Wildflower Center from Austin
June 18, 2012 - I was at the Wildflower Center today and loved the green plants with delicate white flowers that were in both clay pots in front of the auditorium. Please let me know the name of the plants.
view the full question and answer
Annual Native Plants for Interplanting in Iowa
January 20, 2015 - I'm looking for suggestions for annuals that will flower from seed or from spring plants. I want to use them to fill in the space around newly planted coneflowers and asters that I fear will look spa...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower Center work on non-native, invasive Bastard Cabbage from Austin
March 20, 2014 - Still have cabbage weeds that infiltrated Austin awhile back. How did Wildflower Center resolve it?
view the full question and answer
Improving Bluebonnet seed contact with soil
November 06, 2015 - I have a five acre field in Blanco County, much of which is covered by bluebonnets. There are several species of native grasses as well. Would it be beneficial to disk or otherwise disturb the soil ...
view the full question and answer
Deadheading Mexican hat to produce more blooms in Austin
July 05, 2010 - I have several Mexican hat (rudbeckia) plants growing wild in my yard. Would deadheading now give them a second flush of bloom in fall?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |