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
Wednesday - December 19, 2007
From: Sherman, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Native landscaping plants for Sherman, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We are starting from scratch on landscaping our new yard. We live in Sherman, TX and I would like to use plants and flowers that are native to Texas and have a good chance of surviving. What are your suggestions for trees, bushes, and flowers? We have a large, empty front and backyard that will be watered with a sprinkler system.ANSWER:
You are in luck because there are lots of suggestions for native landscaping plants for your area. First, you can visit our Recommended Species for North Central Texas. Entries on the list are linked to our information on each species of plant. The Collin County chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) has a List of Native Plants for Landscape use in Dallas-Ft. Worth. The Trinity Forks chapter of NPSOT in Denton has lists of native plants organized by type of plant (Grasses, Trees, etc.) or type of garden (e.g., Shade, Water, Wildlife).
Mr. Smarty Plants hopes that if you are considering turf grass for your lawn that you will check out Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss). It does very well in full sun, requires little water and needs mowing infrequently.
You can look for nurseries in your area that specialize in native plants in our Natiional Suppliers Directory. The Collin County chapter of NPSOT also has a list of nurseries that supply native plants.
Now, here are a few of the Green Guru's (Mr. Smarty Plants) favorites to get you started:
TREES
Ulmus americana (American elm)
Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)
Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)
SHRUBS/SMALL TREES
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)
Styphnolobium affine (Eve's necklacepod)
VINES
Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper)
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
HERBACEOUS
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Echinacea angustifolia (blacksamson echinacea
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Calylophus berlandieri (Berlandier's sundrops)
More Shrubs Questions
Plant identification of thorny shrub in Tennessee
October 03, 2013 - I have a mid to dark green thorny type bush growing on my land in Cosby, Tennessee. I am originaly from NJ and I have never seen it before. The stalk is varigated and the thorns are plentiful and very...
view the full question and answer
Bottlebrush buckeye not leafing out from Newburyport MA
June 11, 2013 - We have a bottlebrush buckeye bush that has grown and blossomed for 16 years. This spring the bush failed to produce any leaves and there are no buds in anticipation of leaves. There are a few smaller...
view the full question and answer
Decreasing the Height of Smooth Sumac
December 09, 2015 - I have a 9-10 ft. Smooth Sumac that I purchased from an LJWC plant sale several years ago. It has a main trunk and one branch about halfway up. I have read that these sumacs can be pruned down to almo...
view the full question and answer
Male and Female Rhus virens Differences?
June 27, 2015 - I would like to plant a Rhus virens in my yard to attract birds. I want to make sure I get a female plant so there will be berries. How can I tell a male from a female plant?
view the full question and answer
Non-native Genista racemosa from Houston
June 17, 2012 - Read your info on Genista Racemosa. Doesn't address my problem of it not blooming this year. It's in full sun and growing well, about 30" tall & round. Bloomed last year. We're feeding with ba...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |