Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - February 10, 2007
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Container Gardening with Texas Native Plants
Answered by: Damon Waitt
QUESTION:
I live in an apartment in Austin, Texas and want adorn my balcony with a window box this spring. Could you recommend flowers that I could plant that do not need a lot of space to flourish? Also how many flowers should I plant in one box around 24 inches long?ANSWER:
You are in luck my apartment dwelling friend. The How to Article, Container Gardening with Texas Native Plants, will answer your questions about container gardening in Austin. If the container is to stay put for a while, a grouping of plants looks best when a variety of bloom periods, textures, and forms are selected. For a window box 24" long, you should easily be able to fit several herbaceous annuals.More Container Gardens Questions
Loss of blooms in potted plants in Hawaii
November 11, 2007 - My lanai is in strong afternoon sun and no matter what "full sun" plants I try to grow they quickly stop blooming. Plumeria, Hibiscus, Echinacea, even Bougainvillea...they continue to grow but lose...
view the full question and answer
Mites in soil of house plants
June 25, 2008 - Hi there! I recently noticed tiny silver mites in the soil of my plants that I only notice after watering. These plants are indoors in on a window ledge (a dwarf palm, aloe plant and Hawaiian Scheffle...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen plants with showy flowers for pots in Central Texas
January 14, 2009 - I'm looking for evergreen plants with showy flowers suitable for Central Texas. Plants need to do well in pots.. they will be planted in flower boxes in my very sunny porch.
thanks!!!
view the full question and answer
Moving potted plants from California to Georgetown TX
February 10, 2012 - Hi, I am moving from Gilroy CA to Georgetown TX, I have many potted plants I would love to take with me but I am not sure what would survive in my new location. These plants have been cared for so ma...
view the full question and answer
Container Gardening with Native Plants
March 20, 2004 - I live in an apartment and I’d like to grow native plants. Will they grow in containers?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |