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

Tuesday - May 19, 2015
From: Rosendale, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Wildflowers in Bloom in Hudson Valley NY in July
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We are hosting a rustic wedding on July 11, and we would like to decorate with wildflowers. We live in rural NY state, in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and there are many sites from which to pick wildflowers. But we can't remember exactly which ones will be in bloom the second week of July.ANSWER:
There will be plenty of wildflowers in bloom in mid-July. A quick look at the Native Plant Database for herbaceous plants blooming in July turned up 655 entries for the entire New York State.
Some that might make good cut flowers are:
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Castilleja coccinea (scarlet paintbrush)
Chamerion angustifolium ssp. circumvagum (fireweed)
Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea)
Cirsium discolor (field thistle)
Coreopsis major (greater tickseed)
Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower)
Eutrochium fistulosum (Joe pye-weed)
Euphorbia marginata (snow on the mountain)
Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie)
Gaillardia aristata (common gaillardia)
Lilium superbum (Turk's cap lily)
Don't forget to ask permission before harvesting your wildflowers and be sure to leave some behind - for wildlife and to complete the plant life cycle. Best wishes for a very successful rustic wedding on July 11th.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin
October 01, 2013 - I have learned so much from this site! Thank you! I am getting Married this March and I am hoping to use Texas wildflowers for the centerpieces. I hope to grow them in containers indoors and have the ...
view the full question and answer
Lily plants being chewed from Austin
June 20, 2013 - Something is chewing my lily plants to the ground. Any ideas what and do I stop them?
view the full question and answer
What are the grey-green plants on oak trees in San Marcos, TX?
March 12, 2011 - The oak trees in the neighborhood in San Marcos, TX, are covered with clumps, or balls, of gray/green fluffy-looking plants. they remind me of bromeliads. You can pull and knock them off; after wind ...
view the full question and answer
Alternative to swamp sunflower for Austin
June 15, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I love this forum and have learned so much from it!
Do you know of an alternative to Helianthus angustifolius L. (Swamp sunflower) that requires less water and would be m...
view the full question and answer
Grapeland, TX is NOT Grapevine, TX
July 25, 2013 - I submitted a question and today received my answer. I do thank you for this valuable service. However, I stated that I lived in East Texas in GRAPELAND, Tx. Nan Hampton answered me and said that a...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |