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
Saturday - March 20, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Managing Roadsides
Title: Managing Roadsides
Answered by: Sage Kawecki
QUESTION:
I’d like to plant some wildflowers along the roadside. What do I need to do?ANSWER:
Contact your local Department of Transportation and let them know about your proposed planting - there may possibly be some funding available. Most importantly, they will need to get the planting documented so that contracted mowers do not mow the wildflowers down. For more information, download our articles entitled “Planting Wildflowers Along Roadsides,” “How to Buy Wildflower Seed in Bulk,” and “Large Scale Wildflower Planting” from the Native Plant Library.More Managing Roadsides Questions
Suggestions for street trees for Texarkana TX
July 23, 2013 - Texarkana, TX, is going to replace a few and add some new street trees downtown. The engineers specified crape myrtle. When I asked if they would consider native trees instead, I was told they thought...
view the full question and answer
Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL
August 16, 2011 - I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this are...
view the full question and answer
Roadside plants as absorbers of carbon dioxide
February 13, 2007 - If plants absorb carbon dioxide why aren't they on a list of things to do to combat Global Warming?
If we had more plants on the sides of our roads and highways would it help?
view the full question and answer
How to eliminate roadside thistles
May 26, 2015 - When we drive along the highway we see lots of wildflowers and no thistles in the median. How does the Highway Department keep the thistles out? Here in Kerrville, we are overwhelmed by thistles thi...
view the full question and answer
Winter snow and road salt in Michigan
June 27, 2010 - I have been asked to select plants for an area in zone5/6 that suffers from snow load and street salt during winters. The area is about 15x18 and has a deciduous tree in the center. Grass, which did ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |