Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - October 04, 2015
From: Trophy Club, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Restoring riverfront from Blanco Flood
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have cleared our riverfront from the Blanco Flood and I am now looking for help in replanting native trees/grass on our property. Our home was in the Flood of Hayes county Memorial Weekend. I am looking for advise/help in trying to restore the riverfront. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.ANSWER:
On our Special Collections page we have a special list of plants, Central Texas Riparian Restoration Species, recommending species that are appropriate for the restoration of your riverfront.
Grasses are very important components of the restoration. Here are several from the list that are excellent choices:
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem) grows in full sun.
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) grows well in shade and partly shaded areas.
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) grows in sun and part shade.
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) grows in sun, part shade and shade.
Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gamagrass) grows in part shade.
Here are suggestions for trees from the list:
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush) is more a shrub than a tree and grows 6 to 12 feet.
Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore)
Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) is fast growing.
Salix nigra (Black willow) is fast growing.
Taxodium distichum (Bald cypress)
Texas State University has a webpage with the title Disaster Recovery Resources addressing the Memorial Weekend flood. Though they were done early in June some of the videos have information that is still useful. You can find the workshops by searching on YouTube for "Blanco Riparian Workshops". Here is the link to the workshop with the title "What to Plant after the Flood" by Bill Niemann of Native American Seed.
The Wildflower 2015 Fall Native Plant Sale occurs Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 with Wildflower "Members Only" day on Friday, Oct. 9. Most (if not all) of the plants listed above appear on the Plant Sale Plant List.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Time for pruning wax myrtle in Texas
January 31, 2015 - We live in Houston. Can we prune back our southern wax myrtle now?
view the full question and answer
Cenizo as a Foundation Plant in Austin
December 09, 2010 - We live next to the wildflower center. We would like to plant "Leucophyllum frutescens". We are hoping to use this as a foundation plant.
Will it survive if planted in Dec. Please offer any tips ...
view the full question and answer
Desert Willow size question from Austin, TX
June 12, 2015 - Dear MSP, I have a desert willow named Edith. We got her from the CoA a couple of years ago for recycling our Chirstmas tree. She's doing well except her three little trunks are teeny-tiny. We wan...
view the full question and answer
Bees on non-native holly from Oakland TN
April 18, 2013 - I have bees all over my Nellie Stevens holly. Can I spray anything to alleviate this issue?
view the full question and answer
Drought resistant flowering plants for Spring, TX
January 25, 2012 - Hi Mr. Smarty Pants. I live in Spring Tx. and wanted to plant a garden in my front yard. I'm looking for flowering plants that are colorful, easy to manage, and drought resistant but so far can't fi...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |