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.

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?

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

Thursday - July 03, 2008

From: Williamstown, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Drought Tolerant
Title: Drought tolerant plants for NJ backyard
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am in the process of planning a drought tolerant, sun loving Back yard. I do have a dog, a swimming pool and lots of grandchildren. Do you have any suggestions for plants and shrubs? I live in Southern NJ. My yard is almost all full sun morning to night.

ANSWER:

You can see a list of New Jersey Recommended Species that are commercially available and suitable for landscaping and read about their moisture requirements. You can also do a Combination Search in our Native Plant Database for plants native to New Jersey that would meet your criteria by choosing 'New Jersey' from Select State or Province and then 'Sun' from Light requirement and 'Dry' from Soil moisture. You can also select other criteria as search options. Here are a few (all of which should be safe for children and dogs) that I selected from those lists:

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) a vine with attractive red flowers that is fairly drought tolerant.

Gaylussacia baccata (black huckleberry) requires little water, but will tolerate dry, moist or wet soils.

Rhus copallinum (winged sumac) has beautiful fall foliage.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick) is a low, trailing evergreen plant that uses little water.

Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) is grass-like grows in dry to moist soils.

Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm) is very drought tolerant.

Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark) is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant shrub.

Portulaca pilosa (kiss me quick) uses little water and is low-growing.

Campsis radicans

Gaylussacia baccata

Rhus copallinum

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Carex pensylvanica

Monarda punctata

Physocarpus opulifolius