Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - March 26, 2010

From: Calera, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants with color for steep slope in Calera, Alabama
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a large steep slope in my back yard that the developer called a privacy break. It has poor soil and gets full sun. I have planted muhly and maiden grasses but would like some color. The slope is very hard to walk on and need something with low maintenance. I live in Calera Alabama. Can you please help me?

ANSWER:

Here are some plants that are native to your area that produce colorful blooms in full sun that should do well on your slope:

Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)

Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)

Monarda citriodora (lemon beebalm)

Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea)

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)

Liatris elegans (pinkscale blazing star)

Phlox pilosa (downy phlox)

Here are photos of the above plants from our Image Gallery:


Gaillardia pulchella

Oenothera speciosa

Monarda citriodora

Rudbeckia hirta

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida

Liatris elegans

Phlox pilosa

 

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Native flowers for cutting for wedding in June
January 25, 2009 - My husband and I are hosting a wedding reception for our daughter and her husband in Austin in June. If possible, we would like to use live flowers or live colorful plants as centerpieces and decorat...
view the full question and answer

Source for dotted blue-eyed grass from Saluda SC
February 23, 2013 - I lived in Texas for several years and now live on acreage in South Carolina. I have heard that bluebonnets don't grow well in South Carolina. However, there is a place by the road near our house t...
view the full question and answer

What is the black stuff growing on my thoroughwort?
October 27, 2015 - What is the black stuff on my thoroughwort plant's leaves that is killing the plant?
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

Forget-me-nots choking a spring in Bethlehem PA
June 20, 2013 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I am restoring a native plant area along a spring that feeds directly into our local creek. Right now the spring is becoming choked with forget-me-nots, that I am trying ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.