Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

DONATE TODAY

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

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

Will the sea water from Hurricane Ike residually affect Galveston's soil
December 06, 2009 - Most of the trees on Galveston Island died following Hurricane Ike, apparently as a result of the sea water that covered the island. Will the sea water that soaked the soil have a residual effect on...
view the full question and answer

Will Cedar Elm seedlings resprout from the root?
November 20, 2009 - I have a number of cedar elm saplings coming up in a garden bed which I am planning on replanting. It is very difficult to remove the entire taproot below about 1.5 feet as I encounter rocks and heavy...
view the full question and answer

Re-landscaping neglected garden in Franklin CT
April 03, 2011 - I am starting from scratch in a yard that has no planting beds or, for that matter, plants at all. House was vacant for quite some time, grass was three feet tall when we moved in. I would like to p...
view the full question and answer

Are Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels native to the Texas/Mexico Border?
July 05, 2012 - I'm trying to determine whether Rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel grow around the Texas/Mexican border. Are they native to this region?
view the full question and answer

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

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.