Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Saturday - April 26, 2008

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Native plants for container gardening in Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hi, we live a townhouse community in Houston, TX and have a decent sized backyard. I plan on devoting part of that to plant some potted flowers which are less than 6 ft tall (we can't plant anything in the ground due to deed restrictions). Could you recommend a few plants for me, please? Thanks a bunch!

ANSWER:

First, let us refer you to our How-To Article on Container Gardening with Native Plants. Next, we're going to pretend that these native plants are actually going into the ground, and select some that are compatible with the Houston climate. This will prevent you from having to move them inside in cold weather, or put them in a shaded area, etc. Pots that large are moveable, but not THAT moveable.

We can never decide if Houston is South Texas or East Texas, so we're going to choose Recommended Species for East Texas. The first list is Herbaceous Perennials, second is Shrubs and, finally, Grasses. We are going to go through and pick four from each group that we like, but you can look at the full list, check for sun exposure, moisture, height, etc. and make your own selections.

HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)

Hymenocallis liriosme (spring spiderlily)

Iris brevicaulis (zigzag iris)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)

SHRUBS

Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)

Lantana urticoides (West Indian shrubverbena)

Rhododendron canescens (mountain azalea)

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)

GRASSES

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)

Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)

Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)

When you have made your selections, here is a list of Native Plant Suppliers in the Houston area. They can help you get the plants you want, and perhaps make other suggestions for your particular situation.


Coreopsis lanceolata

Hymenocallis liriosme

Iris brevicaulis

Lobelia cardinalis

Callicarpa americana

Lantana urticoides

Rhododendron canescens

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Chasmanthium latifolium

Bouteloua curtipendula

Schizachyrium scoparium

Sorghastrum nutans

 

 

More Container Gardens Questions

Darkened leaves on blueberry bush
July 02, 2008 - I have a blueberry bush planted in a very large pot. It has been doing very well, producing berries and new growth. All of a sudden the leaves have begun to turn dark. I have it potted in good soil...
view the full question and answer

Use of non-native pothos for outside wall from Las Vegas NV
January 05, 2014 - I am in Las Vegas, NV. I live in a cottage-style apartment so I have a north facing porch with no one on the west so I get some there (and have an inherited cactus probably a yard all round) I would ...
view the full question and answer

Container plants for part shade in Bee Cave TX
June 18, 2013 - Dear Mr Smarty Pants, I am looking for plants that will thrive on my covered porch in 3 tall planters. These are meant to help me block an unattractive view out my living room window, so they must...
view the full question and answer

Holding an Acer rubrum in a container for two years
October 10, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am thinking about ordering a Red Maple tree that is cultivated from Mount Vernon. I appreciate the historic nature of such a tree. The tree will be shipped to me and is ...
view the full question and answer

Green blooms on Cedar Sage in Lucas TX
September 22, 2010 - I have two Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana) one purchased from your plant sale and one from a local nursery planted in part shade in the Dallas area. They seem to be quite happy and are blooming but ...
view the full question and answer

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