Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 28, 2007

From: Camillus, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Fragrant native plant to plant on rock wall in New York
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

HELLO THERE, I LIVE IN CENTRAL NY. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SUGGEST A PLANT FOR THIS ROCK WALL ON THE SIDE OF MY HOME. IT IS A NATURAL ROCK WALL, SO BEAUTIFUL!! THE ROCK IS FLAT, ACTUALLY THE AREA I LIVE IN IS CALLED SPLIT ROCK. THE WALL ITSELF MUST BE 25 FEET OR MORE IN HEIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO PLANT SOMETHING, POSSIBLE A FRAGRENT FLOWER AS IT IS NEAR THE HOUSE AND DOES NOT GET ALOT OF SUNLIGHT (MAXIMUM 2-3 HOURS A DAY). ANY IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED! THANKS!!

ANSWER:

Some plants that might work for you are Sweetshrub, Calycanthus floridus; Heartleaf Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia; Beetleweed, Galax urceolata; Red Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis; Rue Anemone, Thalictrum thalictroides; Johnny Jump-ups, Viola tricolor (and other Viola species);and various, native woodland ferns.


Tiarella cordifolia

Calycanthus floridus
 

More Wildflowers Questions

Can bluebonnets grow in a field of Bahia grass in Silsbee, TX?
September 14, 2010 - My question is if you have a field of Bahia grass, can bluebonnets grow there or will the grass choke them out?
view the full question and answer

Will wildflowers still be blooming end of March from Austin
November 20, 2009 - Hi Mr Smarty Pants - A wildflower enthusiast from Rome Italy wants to schedule a special visit to Austin end March early April 2010. Can she be sure wildflowers will still be blooming then?
view the full question and answer

Fall blooming native Texas wildflowers
July 30, 2007 - Hello, Mr. Smarty Plants, I'm a writer working on a historical set in TX in 1821 in the fall. My characters travel from the piney woods in east TX to the South Plain around San Antonio in Sept and e...
view the full question and answer

Time to sow wildflower seeds in Ft. Worth TX
January 07, 2010 - When do I sow wildflower seeds?
view the full question and answer

Wedding Flowers for Alabama
July 03, 2015 - I am considering planting wildflowers for my wedding in early/middle May of 2016. Could I plant seed this fall and have bloom by late April in time for my May wedding?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.