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

Monday - May 18, 2009
From: Old Orchard Beach, ME
Region: Northeast
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Container plants for deck in Maine
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I live on the ocean in Maine. Fourth floor deck. I want to plant containers and boxes with annuals that can withstand a lot of wind. We get mostly sun but some shade as well. Of course, there is the salt factor, too. Any recommendations??ANSWER:
First, we need to explain to you that the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the planting, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants are being grown. Ordinarily, to answer this question we would go to our Native Plant Database, and search on Maine, annual, and sun to part shade. When we did this, we really found very little appropriate to your purposes. We recommend native plants, because many non-natives can become invasive, taking over natural habitats, and because they are adapted to the climate, rainfall and soil of the area where they are being grown. None of these seems likely to apply in the artificial habitat you are creating. In order to raise the natives we were able to find, and because of your short growing season and the extreme conditions, you would have to start seeds indoors, and then put them in containers when it was warm enough for them to survive. So, we would recommend that you go to a local nursery and select plants already in bloom or about to bloom, plant them in good potting soil, and you should be able to enjoy the flowers until the first freeze. Few, if any, of those plants are likely to be native to Maine, so giving you a list of plants from our database is kind of pointless. As high as your garden will be, with the ocean winds, and unprotected as the plants will be in pots, you may have to experiment to even find suitable plants. Sorry we couldn't help you.
More Container Gardens Questions
Plants for pool area in Florida
May 09, 2008 - My husband and I have a pool with 4 planters and are looking for plants that we can put into our screened in pool area. We live in Central Florida and looking for ideas of plants that are slow growin...
view the full question and answer
Container plants for part shade in Bee Cave TX
June 18, 2013 - Dear Mr Smarty Pants,
I am looking for plants that will thrive on my covered porch in 3 tall planters. These are meant to help me block an unattractive view out my living room window, so they must...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for poolside in Central Texas
August 21, 2010 - What native plants would your recommend for poolside landscaping, and poolside containers? Tons of sun and white limestone patio..
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Do plants grow faster in natural or artificial light?
March 13, 2009 - Do you think plants will grow faster in natural light or artificial light or a combination of both? And why do you think that. and need your answer for my biology project please and thank you for your...
view the full question and answer
Darkened leaves on blueberry bush
July 02, 2008 - I have a blueberry bush planted in a very large pot. It has been doing very well, producing berries and new growth.
All of a sudden the leaves have begun to turn dark.
I have it potted in good soil...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |