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

Tuesday - April 12, 2011
From: Charlotte, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shrubs, Wildflowers
Title: Native plants for restoring a North Carolina pond site
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I reconstructed the dam to a 50 year old cattle pond at our high-end residential development in Charlotte, NC. There are many large mature trees around the pond but also some good sun exposure at two sides of the pond. We've limbed up the trees around the pond, installed picnic tables, and now would like to plant colorful, drought-resistant plants around the pond as we do not have irrigation in the area. We named the area WILD FLOWER POND PARK so we would like to plant not only shrubs but some kind of wildflowers that come up every year without a lot of effort.ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center maintains a number of Internet web sites that will be helpful to you. Mr. Smarty Plants recommends that you start by examining a list of plants recommended for your state. Reading the descriptions of some of these will give you ideas for complementing the plants that you already have on site. You would be wise to start with a mixed selection of wildflower seeds suitable for North Carolina, such as available at American Meadows nursery. Clicking on the Description of the various seed mixtures will show you the individual species included. Most of these can be researched in detail by entering the common name or botanical name on the LBJ Wildflower Center Native Plant Database. Depending upon the exact nature of your site, some of the plants will thrive and others may not. But you will learn which species to seed in larger amounts.
Good luck in your project to restore the native plants of your area!
More Shrubs Questions
Plants for a school garden in College Station TX
July 20, 2011 - I need to plant some things in my school garden. Green plants and plants with some color. Hardly ever rains here. Please give suggestions.
view the full question and answer
Cutting back a Rhododendron in Maryland
June 17, 2015 - I have a planting of six shrubs across the front of my house (alternating azalea & rhododendron). All have died except for one huge rhody & a small azalea next to it. Can I cut the huge rhody back to ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants with little sun and northern exposure for New York
April 26, 2006 - I live in a co-op and want to fix up the backyard. The backyard area has a west area to plant with a northern exposure and little sun and I am looking to plant something to cover the area. I would lik...
view the full question and answer
Information about Melochia tomentosa
October 19, 2012 - Hi,
We have a plant in our garden that was received as Melochia tomentosa. It is a woody shrub, about 6' tall and 8' wide. According to the Institute for Regional Conservation, this species is no...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of Actaea simplex in Washington State
September 07, 2008 - I have a Actaea simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty' that I planted in mid August 2007 in a partial, almost full shade spot. This year it came back , but the foliage is brown with dark and light green a...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |