Native Plants
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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.
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Wednesday - July 02, 2008
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Grasses and flowering plants for Dallas
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have an area of morning sun next to my house about ten feet deep. I would like to mix a fairly tall grass with two other plants, flowering. What are some of your suggestions?ANSWER:
In order to find some suggestions to make, we went to Recommended Species, clicked on North Central Texas on the map, and then narrowed our search by clicking on first grasses and then herbs (herbaceous perennials) for habit, perennial for duration and part sun (2 to 6 hours a day of sun). The flowers we chose are tall and sturdy so they can show up with the grasses, but of course, you can use the same methods to find others you like better. Be sure and read all the page links to the various plants in our Native Plant Database so you will know when and how they should be planted. To find native plant suppliers, go to Suppliers, type your town and name in the Enter Search Location box, and you will get the names, addresses, etc. of nurseries, seed companies and landscape professionals in your general area.
GRASSES
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - 4 to 8 ft. tall
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) - 2 to 3 ft. tall
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) - 3 to 8 ft. tall
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) - 2 to 4 ft. tall
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower) - 2 to 5 ft. tall
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) - 1 to 2 ft. tall
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower) - 1 to 6 ft. tall
Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia) - 1 to 3 ft. tall
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Plants to slow water runoff in Austin
April 16, 2011 - What native plants (rocky northwest Austin) will block water runoff? It seems as if something deep-rooted and densely growing would help. Grass comes to mind, but the area gets at best 2 or 3 hours of...
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Planting creeping phlox for a groundcover
June 13, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Southwestern PA (zip code 15065). I have a small slope on my property that is hard for me to mow. I would like to cover it with creeping phlox, which I saw on t...
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Ornamental grasses for North Carolina coastal region
March 09, 2016 - What ornamental grasses will grow in pure sand and withstand salt-laden winds in zones 8 a and 8 b?
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Grasses in Allen County, Indiana
September 25, 2010 - Do you have images of Northeast Allen County, Indiana grass specimens with i.d.? I am a student teacher and am putting together a nature hunt list for my students.
Thank-you,
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Plants for slopes in South Texas
October 05, 2009 - Can you provide a list of plants for use on slopes in S. Texas?
view the full question and answer
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