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
Sunday - March 14, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center, Xeriscapes
Title: Native plant landscaping
Answered by: Sage Kawecki
QUESTION:
How does native plant landscaping differ from xeriscaping?ANSWER:
Xeriscaping is the landscaping practice of using low-water tolerant plants for arid climates. This practice often uses plants from arid regions of other countries. Native plant landscaping is the practice of using native plants, and choosing the right plant for the right ecological niche. Native plants are already adapted to the particular combination of soil, temperature, nutrients and rainfall of that region. It is a practice not limited to arid regions that can be employed whether you live in the arid southwest or the moist northwest.
More Xeriscapes Questions
Plants for a sunny, sandy site in Central Texas
January 22, 2015 - I live between La Grange and Schulenburg, Texas. My soil is sandy. Full sun, no trees. I am a senior citizen with limited funds who is allergic to Rye and Bermuda grass. I tried planting a lawn of...
view the full question and answer
Replacement for shade grass in El Paso TX
April 05, 2013 - We currently have a Honey Mesquite tree with thinning bermuda grass underneath in our front yard. I suspect that the filtered shade is killing the bermuda. I was thinking of planting Buffalo Grass, or...
view the full question and answer
Tired of mowing
February 09, 2007 - Please help, my husband got tired of mowing the lawn (bermuda grass) and recently decided to do a desert landscape by himself. Without researching, he mowed the dead grass and covered the whole area w...
view the full question and answer
Problem garden strip in Austin
May 22, 2014 - Currently I live in the west half of a duplex. There is a small strip of dirt about two feet wide between the wall and the sidewalk in the backyard. It faces west, meaning it only gets sunlight duri...
view the full question and answer
Container Plants for Lubbock, Texas
June 22, 2015 - Hello! I am looking for plants suitable for container gardening for a west facing porch in Lubbock. Plants need to be super tough to endure the baking sun, constant wind, dry air, extreme temperatures...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
