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

Thursday - October 28, 2010
From: Wooster, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants for a pool fence in Ohio
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I live in Ohio and have a pool with a white vinyl fence. Each year I plant sunflowers around it, but they are so messy when the birds/bees find them. Previously I planted castor beans, however, they are so poisonous that I stopped doing that. Could you give me some ideas of tall full plants, annual or perennial, flowering or non-flowering that would do well in this area. I currently have clematis growing which do quite well along with other smaller flowering plants. Thank you for your helpANSWER:
You don't mention what kind of growing conditions you have but I am assuming that around a swimming pool it is fairly sunny and that in central Ohio soil fertility is not an issue. I am also assuming that you are dealing with a fairly narrow strip, which is why you are not considering shrubs.
Our Native Plant Database can generate lists of plants that are native to Ohio for you to choose from, but you will ultimately be limited by what plants are available in your local nurseries. You can perform a Combination Search selecting: Ohio, herb (herbaceous plant), and then the size (I chose 3-6 ft), conditions (sunny) and bloom time (I chose June/July/August as that is when you use the pool). You can also go to the Recommended Species page, click on Ohio and then narrow your search in the same way. It will give you a shorter list of plants that are considered to do well in garden situations and are readily available. You can locate native plant nurseries in your area by going to our Suppliers page and, again, selecting Ohio. All of the lists have links to detailed infomation pages with photos for each plant. You can repeat the process for grasses and vines.
You should be able to create a planting using a combination of these that is not only attractive and interesting but will also be easy to take care of. Native plants are adapted to your ecosystem and require little extra water, fertilizer or pesticide.
I have selected some plants from those lists that I think would work well for you.
Perennials (some tall, some shorter)
Agastache scrophulariifolia (Purple giant hyssop)
Aruncus dioicus (Bride's feathers)
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis)
Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower)
Heliopsis helianthoides (Smooth oxeye)
Liatris spicata (Dense blazing star)
Vernonia noveboracensis (New york ironweed)
Grasses
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie dropseed)
Vines
Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper)
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit?
December 10, 2015 - In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that...
view the full question and answer
Plants under Oak Trees in Austin TX
December 10, 2012 - Half of my small yard is in the shade of one big live oak and one kumquat. Nothing I plant grows in this shade. The other half of my yard gets sunlight. It is planted with Jasmine grass which grows w...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Bonsall, CA
October 17, 2012 - I live in Bonsall, CA. (San Diego) I have 3 acres, flat and sloped that are graded dirt. (DG and sheep poop from previous owner). It is getting close to mud season and I'd like to plant winter cover...
view the full question and answer
Planting petunias around base of oak tree from Houma LA
March 30, 2013 - I live in south Louisiana and I want to plant petunias. Can I plant petunias around the base of an oak tree?
view the full question and answer
Heirloom plants for Gault Homestead in Austin
April 15, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
The Gault Homestead at 2106 Klattenhoff in the middle of Wells Branch Subdivision is to be planted with heirloom or heritage plants soon. There is some sun for the planter bo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |