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
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 - November 03, 2004
From: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native perennial winter plants for Waco, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in the Waco area, and would like to know winter plants that I could use that would come back each year, flowering or otherwise.ANSWER:
Not many plants native to your area will continue blooming throughout the winter. However, some will bloom well into fall until there is a frost. Many are evergreen and retain at least some foliage throughout the year. Among these are several yuccas that should do well around the Waco area. The pale-leaf yucca (Yucca pallida), the twist leaf yucca (Yucca rupicola) and the red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) should all do well. If you are looking for shrubs that will stay green in the winter, a good choice is the southern wax myrtle (Morella cerifera). For fall blooms and evergreen foliage autumn sage (Salvia greggii) and prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida) should do well. Another plant whose yellow flowers should last till first frost and retain its green foliage is zexmenia (Wedelia texana).
You might contact the Brazos Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for other suggestions for winter/evergreen plants that do well in your area.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Evergreen native plants for slope in South Carolina
July 14, 2008 - We would like to plant an evergreen garden in our backyard, which is on a slope. It receives the sun from approx 9-4. We have an above ground pool, and patio area. Would also like a recommendation of ...
view the full question and answer
Deterring geese from a wildflower garden
February 28, 2015 - I've moved into a home with a large pond beyond the grass yard. I intend to plant a sunflower house with lots of other plants as part of the structure, such as flowering vines, clover, mint and thyme...
view the full question and answer
Disease-resistant squash varieties for Central Texas
February 03, 2008 - Can you give me names of some disease-resistant summer squash varieties available in Central Texas?
view the full question and answer
Native flowers for color year round
May 02, 2007 - I have the opportunity to recommend plants for a religious organization. They want YEAR ROUND color in some areas, much like how commercial sites use annual color. I would like to suggest native/ada...
view the full question and answer
Pollinator friendly lawn for Longmont CO
July 06, 2015 - I have a sunny, treeless, South-facing yard, with a slight South-facing slope in Boulder County, CO. It has one patch of buffalo grass, but is more then half some other type of grass. I would like t...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |