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
Tuesday - June 02, 2009
From: Wichita, KS
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Colorful shrubs for Kansas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to plant some bushes or shrubs on the front side of our house which faces east. I would like them to grow 5' tall and provide beautiful color or blooms. What would be best for my location in Wichita, KS?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants suggest that you visit our Recommended Species page and select Kansas from the map or pulldown menu. This will give you a list of commercially available native plants that are suitable for landscaping in Kansas. Your can NARROW YOUR SEARCH in this list by selecting 'Shrub' under the General Appearance characteristic. Here are 5 possibilities from that list that are near the size you are seeking. The maximum height for the smooth sumac is a little higher than you want, but you should be able to keep it pruned to a more desirable size.Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Spiraea alba (white meadowsweet)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
More Shrubs Questions
Perennial summer blooming plant for Livonia, MI
May 22, 2009 - I want to find a plant that I can cut back in the fall, will come back in the spring, flower throughout the summer, be a medium size plant, no taller than 48", about 36" in diameter. It would get f...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Eves necklacepods (Styphnolobium affine)
March 25, 2008 - Mr. S-P,
I urgently need your advice regarding two Eve's necklacepods that appear to be dying. They are in two completely different areas of my yard. One began leafing out and then the leaves sh...
view the full question and answer
Rocky Stream Bank Plants for Dallas, TX
July 02, 2015 - Need live stake shrubbery or tree ideas for a rocky stream bank prone to high water.
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Problems with shrubs by pool in Bethesda, MD
February 24, 2012 - We are trying to grow Otto Luyken Laurels by a pool and doing okay, some brown spots on leaves, but not many. Also have Arbivatea beside the pool about 3 feet from the edge of the pool. They have a l...
view the full question and answer
Need some help with my Mexican Bush Sage in Rockport, TX.
July 07, 2011 - My Mexican bush sage looks leggy,ratty and sparse. It's planted in full sun and was cut back to the ground in early spring. My soil is sand and I've watered it sparingly as we've had no rain. I'm...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |