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
Sunday - October 04, 2015
From: Youngstown, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Laws, Seeds and Seeding, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been cleared just about down to the soil. I would like to plant or maybe hydroseed some type of low growth plant, grass or anything. I am looking for some suggestions. What about crown vetch? Something relatively easy to plant due to the terrain, and that stays only a couple feet tall to preserve the view of the lake would be ideal.ANSWER:
Any wildflower that can be grown from seed can apparently be sown by hydroseeding - suggests some information on the internet. This also includes hydroseeding the non-native groundcover called crown vetch (Securigera varia).
A mixture of native grasses and wildflowers that call New York home would be an excellent way to restore your Lake Ontario shoreline to its original plant diversity. Before you contract with a hydroseeder or order your seeds though, take a look at the discussion about plant genetics and ecotypes on the www.wildflower.org website so you can ask them some important questions about their seed sources.
To obtain a preliminary list of plants for New York State, visit the Special Collections webpage and select New York then narrow the list by selecting 0-3 feet in height from the left categories. This will give you about 40 plants to investigate for your project.
Some tough native plants to consider are:
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterflyweed)
Anaphalis margaritacea (Western pearly everlasting)
Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm)
Monarda fistulosa (wild beebalm)
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Phlox subulata (creeping phlox)
And for an extensive list of native grasses for New York, visit the Native Plant Database and select New York, Grass/Grass-like, Perennial, and 0-3 feet tall.
Some native grasses to consider are:
Bouteloua hirsuta (hairy grama)
Distichlis spicata (saltgrass)
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Laws Questions
Neighborhood association wanting wildflowers mowed from Grand Prairie TX
July 14, 2013 - For at least 15 years, I have been fostering growth of wildflowers in 60% of my 90x400' yard which include 150' utility trunkline easement in which I can plant no trees. This year, we had volunteer ...
view the full question and answer
Are wildflowers in Missouri patented?
September 20, 2013 - Are wildflowers in Missouri patented? If so where would I find a list of them?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen that Grows to Three Feet in Michigan
May 22, 2014 - I have searched your site and can’t find what I need. I live in the middle of Michigan. I need a shrub that stays green year round and only grows to 3 feet or less.
view the full question and answer
Is it legal to pick wildflowers from the roadside in NY?
July 10, 2011 - Hi,
Is it legal to pick most wildflowers from the roadside in upstate NY?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Patenting Flower Mixes
July 12, 2012 - Can a new, more beautiful combination/mix of certain wild flowers or the new use of some particular wild flowers for a particular style of gardening, e.g. for deer resistance or for alternative lawn o...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |