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

Saturday - October 08, 2005
From: Abilene, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Hearty, bushy native plants for windowboxes in Abilene, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Abilene, Tx and am a horrible gardener. I would love to have window boxes with some sort of hearty bushy plant. Any suggestions, I'm at a total loss...? Thanks!ANSWER:
You probably would be interested in something that is evergreen or semi-evergreen that will keep your window boxes looking nice even in winter. Gray Sagewort or Prairie Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is a perennial evergreen with silver green foliage. Its flowers are rather inconspicuous but it could be combined with other plants with showier flowers. Two plants with yellow flowers that bloom spring through fall and remain evergreen in mild winters are Zexmenia or Texas Creeping-oxeye (Wedelia texana) and Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana). All three of the above plants can grow reasonably tall (1-3 feet) but can be controlled by trimming. A shorter white flower that is semi-evergreen is the Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
If you are looking for something to produce showy flowers for the spring and summer, there are several annuals that would do nicely. All of the following have long bloom periods, from early spring till first frost.
1. Lazy daisy (Aphanostephus skirrhobasis)
2. Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
3. Greenthread (Thelesperma filifolium)
4. Prairie Verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)
Some perennials with long bloom periods are:
1. Western Primrose (Calylophus hartwegii) or Square-bud Primrose (Calylophus berlandieri)
2. Violet Wild Petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
3. Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
You should realize that all the native plants named above will also grow in the ground in your area of Texas.
You can visit the National Suppliers Directory in the Native Plant Information Network to search for nurseries or seed companies that specialize in native plants in your area.
More Shrubs Questions
Need a privacy screen of native plants for swimming pool in Garden Ridge, TX
February 10, 2013 - We are building a pool and would like to use native plants as a screen around the fence, preferably a shrub that grows quickly to about 6 feet. Any suggestions? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Need to know about little brown spots on Texas Mountain Laurel
May 11, 2015 - I have little brown spots on my Texas Mountain Laurel leaves. I can email you a picture if needed. What could it be and how can I help my little laurels work thru these spots?
The texas mountain ...
view the full question and answer
Recovery of an agarita having been cut down from San Antonio, TX
August 16, 2013 - I had an agarita adjoining a cedar and a volunteer hackberry in my yard. The tree trimmers were supposed to cut out the hackberry but unfortunately also cut the agarita back to the ground. How long ...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen native shrubs in Long Island, NY
April 17, 2009 - I would like to plant evergreen bushes (or trees)against my house facing north with no sun and growing no taller than 4 feet high. Any suggestions? I live in Coram, Long Island, New York
view the full question and answer
Leaf burn on hydrangeas
July 11, 2008 - What causes my leaves to burn on my healthy hydrangeas?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |