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.
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Sunday - February 12, 2012
From: San Angelo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Need perennials for front beds in south-facing house ib San Angelo, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
What perennials will work in my front beds of southern facing house in West Texas?ANSWER:
Let me introduce you to our Native Plant Database to help you with your plant selection. Click here to get to the Database and scroll down to the Combination Search box. Select Texas under State, Herb under Habit, and Perennial under Duration. Check Sun under Light Requirement since the house faces south, and Dry (or the condition that applies) under Soil Moisture. Click the Submit combination Search button and you will get a list of 180 native plant species that meet these criteria. You can get a different list by changing herb to shrub under Habit. You can also specify the desired height of the plants.
Clicking on the Scientific name of each plant will bring up its NPIN page that has a description of the plant along with growth characteristics and requirements. In most cases, there are images of the plant.
As you go through the list, pay attention to the plant’s growth requirements ( light, moisture, soil type, pH) its size,its bloom characteristics, etc.
For help a little closer to home you might contact the folks at the Tom Green County office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
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June 20, 2013 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am restoring a native plant area along a spring that feeds directly into our local creek.
Right now the spring is becoming choked with forget-me-nots, that I am trying ...
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Survival of wildflowers after Hurricane Irene in Perkasie PA
September 03, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
We have (had) a beautiful row of wildflowers and sunflowers along the one side of our house. Now that Hurricane Irene has passed, most of the flowers are matted down from the wind...
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Use of non-native pothos for outside wall from Las Vegas NV
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Standing cypress turning brown in San Antonio
June 12, 2011 - Last year I bought and planted a standing cypress. This year several plants came up. The tallest one was about 1 foot tall. After blooming the plant began to turn brown and die. My question: Is t...
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Straggler Daisy as a Groundcover in Salado, TX
October 30, 2015 - I've identified Straggler Daisy or Horseherb as the plant to cover my 20 x 40 partly shady partly sunny lot. Could you provide me with the best method for starting and growing the plant to ensure it ...
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