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
Monday - June 22, 2015
From: Lubbock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Container Gardens, Xeriscapes, Drought Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Container Plants for Lubbock, Texas
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Hello! I am looking for plants suitable for container gardening for a west facing porch in Lubbock. Plants need to be super tough to endure the baking sun, constant wind, dry air, extreme temperatures in the different seasons, and reflected light in this location. All suggestions welcome!ANSWER:
You are correct that plants have to be super tough to survive the extreme heat, drought and temperatures for containers on your west facing porch.
To find some possible plants, take a look at the Native Plant Database and search for Texas, Herb, Perennial, Sun, Dry and 0-3 feet in height. This will generate a large list of plants but not all will be suitable for containers. You may have to try several plants to find out what will work best in your situation.
So some plants to consider are:
Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow) Trim to keep compact.
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Dichondra argentea (Silver Ponyfoot)
Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmann's Daisy) Has a tap root so needs a deep pot.
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie Verbena)
Lenophyllum texanum (Coastal Stonecrop)
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot Daisy)
Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage)
From the Image Gallery
More Xeriscapes Questions
Flowering native plants for Arizona
October 19, 2004 - I was wondering if you could help me? We are moving from California to Arizona, and I was wondering if you can tell me some flowering plants, or any plants that will thrive in the hot Arizona tempera...
view the full question and answer
Management of xeriscape garden and rock mulch
December 09, 2007 - I have a large xeriscape garden; unfortunately, it is located near some pear trees which drop tons of leaves each fall/winter. The garden is difficult to clean of leaves until I cut back the plants. ...
view the full question and answer
Native plant landscaping
March 14, 2004 - How does native plant landscaping differ from xeriscaping?
view the full question and answer
Tired of mowing
February 09, 2007 - Please help, my husband got tired of mowing the lawn (bermuda grass) and recently decided to do a desert landscape by himself. Without researching, he mowed the dead grass and covered the whole area w...
view the full question and answer
climbing vine for growth in sand
July 11, 2012 - I live in Grand Beach, MI. My house sits on a sand dune. I want to plant a flowering vine that will grow up a fence. The area has plenty of sand and I have a trickle watering system. Can you pleas...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |