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

Sunday - July 25, 2010
From: Galveston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Wildlife plants for backyard on Galveston Island
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you help me select native plants for Galveston Island that can be used in a backyard to attract native wildlife?ANSWER:
The Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) has lists of native plants recommended for the Houston area (your near neighbor) in its Native Plant Information Pages. These include recommendations for birds and butterflies as well as other wildlife. Here are some recommendations from those lists but you can find others and then look them up in our Native Plant Database to find more information about them. On each species page you can check the GROWING CONDITIONS to see if they are compatible with your site. You can also check the BENEFITS section to see what is attracted to the plant.
Here are trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants that will attract birds, butterflies and other insects:
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow)
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Host plants for Painted Lady Butterflies (Vanessa cardui)
August 22, 2009 - I am looking for host plants for the Painted Lady Butterfly that I can plant in my school's (I am a teacher) native plant/butterfly garden. As part of the curriculum, each Fall our 2nd graders study ...
view the full question and answer
hummingbird attractants
May 03, 2012 - I live in Baytown, Texas and am looking for a variety of plants that attract Hummingbirds, but are also pet friendly. I have two dogs, so this is a major concern. I am putting the plants in my backyar...
view the full question and answer
Need plants beneficial or attractive to bees in Dripping Springs, TX
January 27, 2014 - Can you provide a specific list of plants beneficial or attractive to honey bees in the Texas Hill Country (we raise bees in Dripping Springs, TX.) Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Landscaping from Wilmington NC
December 22, 2012 - I plan on moving to Belmont NC in the next couple of years and settling down with my future wife in her home town. I am a huge do it yourself person. I love to make things from scratch, including buil...
view the full question and answer
Appropriate riverbed and quail habitat plantings for southwest OK
September 27, 2009 - Mr Smarty Pants, I have an area in extreme SW Oklahoma along the Red River. What native plants could I plant that are both appropriate for the sandy/saline soils in the vegetative area of the river b...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |