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
Root rot and transplant shock in Texas betony
July 13, 2006 - Texas betony is supposed to be drought resistant but also likes to be kept moist, but I have had trouble getting it established. These seem to be undemanding plants I have had entire stems dry up and...
view the full question and answer
Early nectar blooms for Monarch butterflies from Austin
May 04, 2014 - Could you tell me any early spring blooming nectar plants that monarchs will nectar from. I'm specifically looking for bloom times in March and early April.
I have plenty of May blooms but not ...
view the full question and answer
Problem with Eupatorium greggii
April 27, 2008 - At the Garden's fall plant sale in 2006, I bought some Eupatorium greggii. It did very well last year. Recently, the entire plant looks like it is just wilting from the top down, as if it has some so...
view the full question and answer
Straggler daisy as a ground cover in Florida
April 21, 2015 - I live in Hillsborough county,FL. My yard has two large oak trees and is very shady. I am looking for a shade resistant ground cover that will do well for a yard used by children to play.
I was told...
view the full question and answer
Native landscaping plants for Sherman, Texas
December 19, 2007 - 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 you...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |