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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Tuesday - August 03, 2010
From: New York, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Rain Gardens
Title: Plants for a bioswale in New York City
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am interested in learning about the best vegetation for planting in a bioswale in New York City. Can you help? Thanks!ANSWER:
Bioswales, or rain gardens, require plants that must be able to tolerate growing in standing water, but also need to be able to thrive when the water dries up. Below are some that should work in your New York City bioswale. Since I don't know the other aspects of your site, such as how much sunlight it gets, you should check the GROWING CONDITIONS on each of the species pages to see if they are compatible with those of your site.
Grasses/Grass-like
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Carex stipata (owlfruit sedge)
Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)
Perennials
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Chelone glabra (white turtlehead)
Hibiscus moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow)
Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm)
Ferns
Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
Shrubs
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)
Clethra alnifolia (coastal sweetpepperbush)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Rain Gardens Questions
Rain garden plants for NC
April 19, 2010 - I have a small creek at the back of our property, it's normally dry except when it rains. Builders removed the natural plants and left it bare. What native plants could I plant in it to bring it bac...
view the full question and answer
Riverbank retention in VA
March 26, 2012 - I need some groundcover/bank retention for a Virginia riverbank in mixed sun and shade. I want to plant something native to VA. the area is out of the water but subject to occasional (4-5 times per y...
view the full question and answer
Managing a wet area in Austin
November 18, 2013 - I suspect that my backyard lies at the very top of a creek watershed. However, all of the water flowing through it gets blocked by a solid stone wall. Whenever we get a significant rain event, part ...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a bioswale or rain garden
January 06, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
What plants do you recommend for a bioswale or rain garden in Austin, Texas?
view the full question and answer
Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
March 12, 2012 - I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |