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 - July 23, 2008
From: Lindale, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Is Sedum recommended for a greenroof project in Houston
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Mark Simmons
QUESTION:
Would you recommend using Sedum for a green roof project in Houston, Texas? Will the humidity effect the sedum? If sedum would be a poor choice, what would you recommend for Houston?ANSWER:
No. Most sedums tend to come from dry temperate climates and from shallow or very well drained soil. In wet subtropical areas they can suffer from rot and can be out competed by weeds during wetter times of the year.
We tend to favor locally native plants that can tolerate a wide range of climate and soil conditions (i.e. those which have "generalists" traits)—most of the common and widespread prairie grasses and forbs would fall into this category. Selecting your species from this palette would increase your chance of success—you just have to decide what you want your roof to do (hold storm water) or how you want it to look (spring wildflowers). Please visit our Native Green Roofs page for more information about green roofs and a native species list that we are currently testing.
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Winterizing non-native sedum in Saskatchewan CA
October 31, 2011 - What should be done to winterize a autumn joy (sedum)?
view the full question and answer
Need help with century plant in Willis, TX
September 21, 2014 - Ok so I have two gorgeously monstrous century plants in my yard..I love em BUT I don't know if the have ever bloomed but since I am removing pups as fast as I can during the rainy season I'm assumin...
view the full question and answer
Can I have success planting Adams Needle in Calgary, Alberta? Maybe.
March 23, 2009 - I live in Calgary, Alberta and am wondering if I could have success planting Adams Needle in this climate (lots of chinook winds in the winter with large fluctuations in temperatures).
view the full question and answer
Lesions on Agave Leaves in Spring Branch, Texas
January 14, 2011 - I have a giant Agave americana that was beautiful until recently. Several of the leaves have lesions, some of them quite drastic, on the last third of the leaf. What is causing this?
view the full question and answer
Agave in a vase of water in Tacoma WA
July 19, 2009 - I have a agave plant that is in a vase of water only. It was given to me about 3 years ago, still growing but rotting inside of the water. Is it suppose to be in dirt? How to I transfer into a pot ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |