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 - May 13, 2009
From: Grove City, OH
Region: Midwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants to compliment pine trees in Ohio
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We just moved into a new home, the backyard has a above ground island with 5 pine trees (fairly young ones, not big) between the trees are some piney looking shrubs, there is a lot of open space on the island to add other plants or flowers. I am not particularly fond of the pine trees and shrubs..but not in a hurry to uproot anything. What can I plant that will compliment the trees and the piney shrubs. I love color. Also, it is a huge island, takes up about a 1/3 of our yard..any thoughts?ANSWER:
First, please go the our Recommended Species page and choose Ohio from the map or pull-down menu and you will get a list of over 140 native plants that are commercially available for landscaping in Ohio. You can modify that list by choosing the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option and choose your own preferences from the various categories. For instance, you might want to choose "Herb" or "Grass/Grass-like" from the Habit (general appearance category and/or "Part shade - 2-6 hours of sun per day" from the Light requirement category.
Here are a few of Mr. Smarty Plants' choices that can be found in or adjacent to Franklin County, Ohio—you can find many more on the list:
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Campanulastrum americanum (American bellflower)
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (shrubby cinquefoil)
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)
Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm)
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Removal of invasive roots of Turks Cap in College Station TX
April 29, 2014 - I know people have asked you questions about propagating Turk's Cap, but my question is a little different. I have this plant growing in several locations, because I have a large garden with lots...
view the full question and answer
Will Convallaria majuscula grow in Texas?
September 10, 2015 - Can I transplant Convallaria majuscula,
American lily-of-the-valley I originally brought from northern Wisconsin a few years back to the Chicago area to my new home in Buda Texas?
view the full question and answer
Floristic Quality Assessment program in Texas?
January 19, 2009 - Do you have knowledge of a Floristic Quality Assessment program for Texas such as the ones used in Indiana and Illinois?
view the full question and answer
Native border plants to stop erosion
February 18, 2015 - I need native border plants to assist in stopping soil erosion due to water run off from rain and the Catawba River.
view the full question and answer
Where to find milkweeds and other butterfly favorites
March 07, 2016 - Our neighborhood in San Antonio is planning a big Arbor Day celebration. One of the events will focus on Monarch Butterflies. We will be releasing some live ones in our park and will have a booth th...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |