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
Monday - February 15, 2010
From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Native shrubs to plant after Ashe Juniper removal
Answered by: Nina Hawkins
QUESTION:
I live on 7 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country land just north of New Braunfels. Live oak, Cedar elm, and Ashe juniper dominate the landscape. I have cleared some of the Ashe juniper and would like to plant several native shrubs throughout the seven acres. I have already had some success growing Texas Mountain Laurel and Mexican Buckeye from seed. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for additional native shrubs which would need to be somewhat deer resistant. Thank you.ANSWER:
The following shrubs would be right at home on your Hill Country acreage and are purported to be moderately to highly deer resistant.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Senna lindheimeriana (velvet leaf senna)
Senna roemeriana (twoleaf senna)
Mimosa borealis (fragrant mimosa)
Young plants are especially attractive forage for deer, so you may still want to protect them when more appealing food supplies are low. You'll find many more suggestions on our Recommended Species page for Central Texas (just narrow your search down to "Shrubs" on the "General Appearance" dropdown menu), but this list should get you off to a good start!
More Shrubs Questions
Shelf life of hawthorn leaves in Florissant, MO
April 30, 2009 - I have a bag of hawthorn leaves that were harvested in 2007. Do you know if they're still effective? How long is the shelf life of hawthorn leaves? Thank you for your assistance.
view the full question and answer
Source for a soapberry in Pittsburgh PA
June 22, 2013 - Flower box
Where can I buy a soapberry tree in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania?
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive peanut butter tree from Canby, OR
July 17, 2012 - I too have a peanut butter tree with the pink and white blooms, its about 5 years old and is beautiful, but 2 weeks ago it started wilting and losing all its leaves, I am afraid it is dying. Can I sav...
view the full question and answer
Pruning of Grape Kool Aid Plant in California
August 03, 2008 - I have a Grape Kool Aid plant and was told it would grow to 6 or 7 feet tall, but it is well over that and I need to know if I can prune it and if so how?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrubs or small trees for privacy in Cumming GA
May 11, 2010 - I have a eight foot fence in my back yard. My back yard is full of trees and is very shady in the late spring and summer months and in the winter when the leaves fall is very bare. I am looking for...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |