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

Wednesday - July 28, 2010
From: Newport, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Salt and wind tolerant plants for small containers in NC
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We need two plants that will go in raised planters. Will be in full sun with lots of wind. Salt water nearby. Will have to keep plants sorta short I guess. We cannot find anything, although we see salt resistant, but they grow too big for a planter which is 12" tall, 9" deep, 11" across the top and tapers down to about 6". CAN YOU HELP SUGGEST ANYTHING. We are old and stupid!! Thanx!ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants consulted two lists of salt tolerant plants, Salt Tolerant Plants for Florida from the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Salt Tolerant Plants from North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and found the following plants that have at least moderate salt tolerance and are reasonably short to withstand the wind. You might find others on the list that you like, but please be aware that many of the plants in these two lists are introduced plants that aren't native to North Carolina nor to North America. If you see a plant that interests you on the list that I didn't recommend, please check in our Native Plant Database. If you find it there, you can be assured that it is native to North America and you can check the DISTRIBUTION section on the species page to see if it is native to North Carolina.
LESS THAN 1 FOOT HIGH:
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
Dichondra carolinensis (Carolina ponysfoot)
Portulaca pilosa (kiss me quick)
FROM 1 FOOT TO 3 FEET
Teucrium canadense (Canada germander)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
Panicum amarum (bitter panicgrass) and here are photos.
Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)
Opuntia humifusa (devil's-tongue)
Zamia pumila ssp. pumila (coontie) and here are more photos and information.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Container Gardens Questions
Plants for 100 gal. pot by pool from Ft. Worth TX
June 23, 2012 - What North Texas evergreen — or combination of evergreen plants, bushes or trees — could thrive in a huge, 100-gallon clay pot (immovable!) that is situated in full sun year round in an exposed area n...
view the full question and answer
Flowering plant for container on lanai in South Florida
December 15, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I would like to purchase a flowering plant for my ailing mother for Christmas. It has to be able to grow in shade so I can place it on her table on her lanai for her to be a...
view the full question and answer
Planting Texas Mountain Laurel to transplant to Dallas
August 29, 2012 - My daughter would like to incorporate a tree planting ceremony in her wedding in Texas. The seedling would be planted in a pot for a few years and later transplanted in a yard when they buy a home. Wo...
view the full question and answer
Planting horsetail indoors from Collierville TN
November 12, 2012 - I would like to plant horsetail indoors. Can it handle the inside? Will it try to go dormant or it that a temperature trigger which means it will not go dormant?
view the full question and answer
Planting time, either by acorn or container grown tree, of Shumard red oak
April 12, 2006 - Hello, I have a question on when is the best time
to plant shumard red oak. I live in Zone 7.
thank you
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |