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

Thursday - January 15, 2015
From: Columbus, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Rain Gardens, Planting, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: plants for a rain garden's moist area in Central Texas
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking for local natives to plant in the wet portion of a rain garden/bioswale. Can you help, please?ANSWER:
You have a wide choice of native plants suitable for a rain garden. Which ones to choose depends mainly on whether the wet part of your garden remains wet all the time or whether, as in most rain gardens, it dries up part of the time. A good place to select species based on their need for water is a website sponsored by the city of Austin. Listed there are species that require constant water and those that can thrive in dry or wet conditions. Another criterion is plant size. Assuming that you have a relatively small rain garden and need small plants, I suggest a few possibilities that do well in dry or wet soil, beginning with the smallest ones. Hydrocotyle bonariensis (Largeleaf pennywort), Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit), Teucrium canadense (Canada germander), Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower), Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine), Physostegia intermedia (Intermediate false dragonhead)Justicia americana (American water-willow), Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) and Helenium autumnale (Common sneezeweed). Grasses are very important in absorbing water. Consider Muhlenbergia reverchonii (Seep muhly), Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly), Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gamagrass), Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) and Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly). For the wetter spots, you could plant sedges, such as Rhynchospora latifolia (Sand-swamp whitetop sedge) and Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge).
Check out your local plant nurseries for the species you decide on. Seeds of some of the plants are also available from Native American Seed. Your best chances for success are to get the plants or seeds in the ground before hot weather arrives. Thank you for your efforts to conserve water.
From the Image Gallery
More Planting Questions
Re-landscaping in Stephenville, TX.
November 17, 2012 - I prefer native plants. We are re-landsacaping, so I need grass, ground cover, vines and flowers to plant in our back yard. We have many trees and the whole yard is shady. A small area might be con...
view the full question and answer
killing grass on 1 acre before planting Habiturf
March 04, 2012 - I have an acre of full sun lawn on a slight slope in Dallas - would the habiturf be appropriate & if so, how do I go about killing off the existing weeds/crab grass before installing? Removing 3 in o...
view the full question and answer
Cardboard or newsprint for mulch from Cedar Park TX
June 09, 2012 - What is your opinion on using cardboard and/or newspaper for mulch in flower beds or around trees?
view the full question and answer
Transplanting Virginia creeper
September 02, 2008 - I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo...
view the full question and answer
How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas
September 15, 2010 - I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcas...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |