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
Thursday - February 28, 2008
From: Pearland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Grasses and wildflowers for Houston meadow
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I recently bought a house in a new subdivision just south of Houston - as with most new developments, the area is devoid of nature for the most part... I have planted many bird/butterfly/bee friendly plants in the backyard and instead of having a traditional lawn, I would like to create a meadow. I have been looking at the Wildflower Center's selection of native seeds, but I'm not sure where to start. Can you help me choose some native grasses and wildflowers that might do well in the wet clay soil? I am a big fan of insects and birds and want to make my yard into a refuge for them. Thank you for your help!ANSWER:
First of all, let me recommend our article, Plant a Wildflower Meadow. It gives you information about setting up and managing a wildflower meadow.
Here are a few recommendations for grasses and wildflowers that should do well in the Houston area:
GRASSES
Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana (silver beardgrass)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)
Eragrostis intermedia (plains lovegrass)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
WILDFLOWERS
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Callirhoe involucrata (purple poppymallow)
Calylophus berlandieri (Berlandier's sundrops)
Castilleja indivisa (entireleaf Indian paintbrush)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Eustoma exaltatum (catchfly prairie gentian)
Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)
Liatris punctata (dotted blazing star)
Monarda citriodora (lemon beebalm)
Phlox drummondii (annual phlox)
Ruellia nudiflora (violet wild petunia)
Salvia azurea (azure blue sage)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow)
You can also go to our list of recommended species for East Texas to find more choices.
Check with Native American Seed in Junction. They have many wildflower mixes and their Native Trail Mix has a combination of wildflowers and native grasses that should do well in the Houston area. They also have tips about planting wildflower and grass seeds.
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Plant for deep shade in Pennsylvania
April 09, 2013 - Hi! I am landscaping our house and trying to use only plants that provide seasonal benefit to bees, butterflies, birds etc. not the deer though. My question is that I have a fairly steep slope of abou...
view the full question and answer
Planting for parrots
March 23, 2005 - I have 2 parrots, a sun conure and a nanday conure, and I would like to find some plants to put in their aviary room that are safe for parrots. Can you help me with this question?
view the full question and answer
Native plants for wildlife gardening in Illinois
May 29, 2006 - I live in Rockford, Illinois. Where/How can I find information on native flowers, plants, trees, grasses and animals, and other things I can plant on our property (about an acre) to provide a home fo...
view the full question and answer
Chemical composition of native plants for birds
September 06, 2009 - I am looking for specific information on the biochemistry/nutrition of native plants as they relate to bird nutrition. ie. protein,fat,carbohydrate,vitamin etc found in northeast woody natives for a ...
view the full question and answer
Host plant for butterflies in North Carolina
March 27, 2008 - What is the best host plant for butterflies in North Carolina?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |