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
Sunday - February 12, 2012
From: Galveston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Drought Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like, Wildflowers
Title: Native Plants for Galveston
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I'm looking for low maintenance, drought tolerant plants for Galveston, on the bay side, in a well drained area with morning sun. I was thinking of Phlox, Muhly grass, Lantana.....and I am looking for suggestions. Thank you.ANSWER:
Your area is a great area for native plants! The set of plants that you are thinking of will do well. I would only add that you should look for the specific native species that are well adapted to your area. From comparing your list with ours, I found Phlox drummondii (Annual phlox), Phlox glabriflora (Rio grande phlox), Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly), and Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana).
When I search for suggestions, I like to use the Recommended Species page on the Wildflower Center website. There is a specific collection that covers Galveston, the Gulf Marshes & Prairies collection. This is a big list! It appears that many of the Texas natives like Galveston also. Three that I found that you might want to consider are Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena), Sisyrinchium langloisii (Roadside blue-eyed grass) and Salvia azurea (Pitcher sage). Of course, your preferences may differ!
Finally, I also checked previous Mr Smarty Plants questions. Have you considered a Wildlife Garden? That question was asked last summer and contains another good list of plant suggestions.
Hope this gives you a little to think about! Enjoy your planting.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Is there any bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) in Austin, TX
August 10, 2011 - Hi there!
Can you tell me if there is any Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)
growing in the Austin area? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Plants resistant to salt spray in FL
December 18, 2011 - What type of plants can I put in a small planter bed next to a waterfall with a saltwater pool?
Everything I put in there dies.
I live in Southwest Florida.
view the full question and answer
Erosion tolerant plants for shade from Kerrville TX
August 06, 2013 - We have just cleared a lot of cedar out of a small draw and would like to know the best groundcovers, shrubs, etc. to plant to hold the soil. Deep shade most of the day.
view the full question and answer
Best Time for Dividing and Transplanting Native Bunch Grasses in Jarrell, Texas
February 02, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
What time of the year is the best for dividing and transplanting native bunch grasses like Gulf muhly, and Miscanthus?
view the full question and answer
Native alternative to Japanese grass from Lake Jackson TX
May 16, 2013 - Is there a native alternative to Little Kitten maiden grass? I was asked to comment on a plan and don't want them to introduce another Japanese plant into our local habitat.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |