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
Friday - August 20, 2004
From: Fredericksburg, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Small to medium specimen native tree for Texas Hill Country
Answered by: Stephen Brueggerhoff
QUESTION:
Can you recommend a small to med. 'specimen' tree to plant near our patio? Full sun, drought tolerant, interesting during different seasons. Thought about Blanco Crabapple, Rusty Blackhaw, Smoke Tree & Canyon Mock Orange. We have unimproved soil, located in the Texas Hill Country.ANSWER:
The trees that you have suggested are certainly good choices for your location. I can also recommend: Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis (desert willow), Orchid Tree,Bauhinia lunarioides (Texasplume) and Golden-ball Lead Tree Leucaena retusa (littleleaf leadtree) I recommend browsing to our Hill Country Horticulture webpage, a service provided by our Native Plant Information Network, that enables a robust search by habit and plant requirements that will help you target the right plant for your needs in your eco-type.More Trees Questions
Galls on live oak tree in Austin
December 12, 2013 - I live in Austin, and have a 13 year old live oak in my yard. It has developed little spheres, kind of like green peas, on the underside of the leaves. What is it? Is it harmful? Is there somethin...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping with native plants in Austin
October 06, 2005 - I'm expanding a flower bed in front of my house and would like to keep it all natives. 1) How do I find out what type of soil I should add? (I live near Hyde Park, Austin and haven't had a soil te...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen plants safe for horses in Louisville, Kentucky
May 16, 2010 - I have a horse farm in Louisville, Ky. I want to plant evergreen plants along the walls in front of the horse barns. What types of plants are not toxic to horses can I use? Thank you so much for all y...
view the full question and answer
Distance of oak tree to existing driveway in San Antonio
July 07, 2009 - How close can I plant a live oak tree (15 gal) next to an existing driveway. I have about 3 feet space to plant between a fence and a driveway. This is the best spot to provide future shade. My concer...
view the full question and answer
Problems with red oak trees in North Central Texas
July 13, 2013 - What is the disease effecting Red Oak trees in North Central Texas; causing them to lose leafs in Spring/Summer and turning the remaining leaves light yellow/lime green in color.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |