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
Tuesday - October 13, 2009
From: Plano, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Plants for area around pool in Plano, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I just built an in ground pool in Plano, Texas and now want to landscape around it on my own. I am curious what plants/shrubs you recommend. There will be plants/shrubs on three sides of the pool. Thanks!ANSWER:
You can find a list of commercially available native plants for landscaping in your area in Texas-North Central Recommended on our Recommended Species page. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to specify General Appearance, Soil Moisture, Light Requirements, etc., for the plants you want. Here are a few from that list that should make an attractive area around your pool:
SHRUBS/SMALL TREES
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Wright's desert honeysuckle)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Hesperaloe parviflora (redflower false yucca)
Lantana urticoides (West Indian shrubverbena)
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)
Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Phlox drummondii (annual phlox)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
There are many more and you can find them in the list recommended above. You can match their characteristics to the requirements of your site by reading the "Growing Conditions" for each species.
Here are photos for some of the species above:
More Trees Questions
Are hollies toxic?
December 18, 2008 - Can I use holly from my landscaping to decorate food at Christmas?
view the full question and answer
Cottonwood seed clogging air conditioner in Austin
June 06, 2010 - My husband and I recently moved into a rental house that has a very tall cottonwood tree in the backyard. It has been shedding its seeds all over our yard since the beginning of May and seems to still...
view the full question and answer
Will Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis) grow in northeast Texas?
November 24, 2009 - Will Texas madrones grow by Cedar Creek Lake and if so, do you know where I could purchase them "sort of" locally?
view the full question and answer
Are mountain laurel beans safe to use as rattles with small children?
September 19, 2012 - Is it safe to use the mountain laurel mescalbean pods as shakers or rattles, as long as the pods are not open and the seeds left unexposed?
If a small child (very small, who has no way to open the ...
view the full question and answer
Browning leaves on recently planted chinkapin oak in Rockwall TX
June 09, 2010 - I just planted a chinkapin oak that is about 1 1\2 inches thick last week and now some of the leaves are turning brown. Does that mean its dying? Do you have any tips that I could use to protect it?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |