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 - November 16, 2009
From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Evergreen shrubs for urns at entryway in Midland, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for plants for large urns at my entry .. prefer something evergreen. The urns are about 3' tall with an opening of 10-12" .. also prefer a plant that is not too bushy or whose roots will not become matted. Thanks for any help .....ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants can't provide you with an evergreen plant that meets all your specifications, but here are evergreen shrubs/small trees that are native to your area that would be attractive in your entry urns. Judicious pruning should turn them and keep them in the size and shape that you want. One note of caution about plants growing in containers outdoors is that since they don't have the insulation of the surrounding earth, their roots are more susceptible to freezing at extreme temperatures. Since these plants are native to your area, they will survive normal winter temperatures but if the freezing temperatures are very low or last for several days, you should take measures to protect your plants' roots.
Choisya dumosa (Mexican orange) and photos and more information
Condalia ericoides (javelin bush) and more information and photos
Condalia hookeri (Brazilian bluewood) and more information
Garrya ovata (eggleaf silktassel) and more information
Garrya wrightii (Wright's silktassel) and more information
Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper) and more information
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) and more information
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) and more information
Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) and more information
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) and more information
Vauquelinia corymbosa ssp. angustifolia (slimleaf rosewood) and more information and more with photos
PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE ABOVE PLANTS FROM OUR IMAGE GALLERY:
More Shrubs Questions
Transplanting a non-native rose from Akron OH
August 30, 2012 - Can I transplant a rose plant that I have in sunny area to an area that will be partially shady?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrub for screening from Austin
March 25, 2012 - Is there an evergreen, fruit shrub which grows 8 to 10 feet high, having about 6 to 8 hours of sun which could be trimmed to serve as a screen in front of pool equipment on the side of our house?
view the full question and answer
Prairie wattle for woodland area in Austin
November 29, 2009 - Can prairie wattle be grown in a woodland area? It would get part shade, with full sun for at least half a day. The soil is a bit rocky; location is Austin.
view the full question and answer
Ligustrums planted last summer are doing poorly in Houston, TX.
March 06, 2012 - I planted large mature ligustrums trees (~ 8 ft) last summer and the leaves are turning yellow and falling off. Can you please tell me what the cause of this might be and what we can do to prevent th...
view the full question and answer
Plants for area around salt water pool
June 27, 2013 - What are some plants that will grow around my salt water pool where there is some salt water runoff occasionally.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |