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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - December 24, 2008
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Native wildflowers for farm in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for wildflowers native to VA to spread in various beds around our Virginia Beach farm - does a mix exist, similar to what would have been spread along highways, that you can help me locate? Ideally, including diffferent perrenials that bloom all season. Thank you.ANSWER:
The Virginia Department of Transportation has the Virginia Wildflower Program with a a list of the wildflowers that they use. Not all are native to Virginia, but they do indicate which ones are. They also have a list of Wildflower Seed Sources. Additionally, you can find a list of "commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Virginia" by selecting the state from the map or pull-down menu on our Recommended Species page. You can then "Narrow Your Search" by making choices under the various criteria (e.g., Habit—general appearance, Light requirement, Moisture requirement). Also, t sounds as if you might benefit from reading one or more of our "How to Articles" (e.g., Meadow Gardening). You will notice that the "Meadow Gardening" article recommends planting grasses with the wildflowers. Here are a few wildflowers from our Recommended Species list and some attractive grasses that are native to Virginia:Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Liatris spicata (dense blazing star)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Oenothera fruticosa (narrowleaf evening-primrose)
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster)
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
More Wildflowers Questions
Smarty Plants on Helianthus annuus
March 22, 2005 - I am doing an Earth Fair project on the Helianthus annuus. I would like to know if you possibly had any information on this subject. Some of the things I would like to know are:
How big does it get? ...
view the full question and answer
Shearing Pink Skullcaps
September 21, 2014 - My pink skullcap plants keep dying. The ones that are still alive are about 3 years old, but have large sections of dry twigs. Do I shear them and hope they come back or are they gone? I live in Helot...
view the full question and answer
Annual flowers for fall planting in San Antonio
June 22, 2010 - What are some recommended annual flowers for fall planting in a small garden in San Antonio? Also any help on planting and cultivating would be appreciated.
view the full question and answer
Wildflower gardening in Leander , TX
September 02, 2009 - I live in Leander, Texas. I bought a couple of seed mixes last fall, and had wonderful wildflowers growing all along our fences, all spring and into the first part of the summer before it got way too ...
view the full question and answer
Plantings of Castilleja in Texas
April 04, 2012 - I am a graduate student interested in studying different species of paintbrush (Castilleja) in Texas. I understand that the Texas Dept of Transportation has been seeding wildflowers along Texas highwa...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |