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 - February 06, 2010
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Small shrubs and perennials, low maintenance, for San Antonio
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am helping my 87 year old father landscape his yard in San Antonio. His small yard is about a block from the SA River, near the zoo, and has clay and loam from the river. He wants very low to low water suggestions for small shrubs, perennials, and annuals, most in full sun. I'm concerned that many native plants are from the rocky limestone caliche-type soils and won't adapt to his clay/loam. He does have good drainage. Do you have some suggestions for plants? Should I add shale/small rocks to the dirt? Thanks.ANSWER:
All of the recommended plants listed below grow in or adjacent to Bexar County. You will see by reading the 'Growing Conditions' under each of the following recommended plants that they tolerate various types of soils. Most of them list clay loam and clay among the soil types for the plant so there is not really in need for you to add anything to the soil. Good drainage is important and it sounds as if you have that. You will find lots of useful information about creating gardens using native plants in our 'How to Article', A Guide to Native Plant Gardening.
Dalea frutescens (black prairie clover)
Lantana urticoides (West Indian shrubverbena)
Pavonia lasiopetala (Texas swampmallow)
Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)
Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmann's daisy)
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)
Hesperaloe parviflora (redflower false yucca)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Malvaviscus arboreus (wax mallow)
Nolina texana (Texas sacahuista)
Salvia farinacea (mealycup sage)
Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia)
Here are photos of the above plants from our Image Gallery:
More Shrubs Questions
Evergreen flowering shrub for North Augusta GA
July 12, 2009 - I need suggestions for shade-loving evergreen flowering bush that will grow 6 feet or so, besides azaleas.
view the full question and answer
Needs Help with Peonies
January 14, 2011 - With the clay soil in North Texas (Frisco) which variety of peony would thrive and become a reliable bloomer? I do work on amending the soil with expanded shell and compost, but ultimately, we still h...
view the full question and answer
Need recommendations for privacy screen in Richmond, VA
February 27, 2013 - Hello, I read through the previous posts on privacy screen plantings in the Mid Atlantic region. There was a lot of great information, but I has a specific question that was not answered. I would li...
view the full question and answer
Blueberry bushes failing to leaf out in Haines Falls, NY
June 25, 2009 - Blueberry bushes planted in spring in upstate New York; no leaves, only the stem. How do we know if they are alive? Blueberries do very well in that area known as Haines Falls, New York (mountain a...
view the full question and answer
Small native shrub for Noblesville In
April 30, 2012 - Is there a small shrub native to central Indiana that is suitable for front yard city landscaping?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |