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
Monday - March 04, 2013
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Water Gardens, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Tropical Texas landscape from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Do you know of any public (or at least photographed) place in Texas that has been landscaped entirely with native "tropical-looking" (i.e. evergreen but NOT conifer and NOT succulent/arid) species? This would include species like Live Oak, Magnolia, Red Bay, Cherry-Laurel/Plum, Holly, Wax Myrtle, Palmetto, River Cane, Leatherwood, Honeysuckle, Jessamine, Greenbriar, etc. I'd love to see how "tropical" a Texas landscape could look..and still be 100% native at the same time. If I had all the time and money in the world, I would try it myself. But I'm sure someone else has tried it already.ANSWER:
As it happens, Mr. Smarty Plants has answered similar questions before:
1. Tropical-looking landscape in Austin TX
2. Tropical plants for pool in Plano TX
3. Images of tropical Texas landscapes
Now, we can't testify that all our references include only Texas natives, but this is about the best we can do for you. We certainly don't have all the time and money in the world, either; in fact, most of the Smarty Plants Team is volunteers, and the Wildflower Center is a non-profit. We think we had better just stick to recommending plants native not only to North America but to the space in which they grow natively.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Yard grass that cows like to eat in Dale, TX
September 03, 2012 - I need to know of a good grass seed to plant in the yard that will also be eaten by our cows. Prefer one that doesn't have any type of stickers/cocker burrs.
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for horses in Manor, TX
January 20, 2011 - Hi, Can you tell me which native grasses to plant that would grow (and be drought tolerant) in the Manor area. The area we would like to plant seeds has some sun and part shade. There appear to be so...
view the full question and answer
Grasses for area under pecan tree in Tennessee
March 26, 2009 - I have two big pecan trees in my yard and would like to know what kind of grasses would thrive in the shade and also survive for my area of the country.
view the full question and answer
Surface tree roots hurting grass in Houston
March 21, 2013 - We have 2 mature Arizona Ash trees in our yard (30-40'). One of them is in a sunnier location and has developed an extensive network of surface roots (up to 1 to 1 1/2" Dia.) between the tree and th...
view the full question and answer
Native grass mix for Bastrop County, TX
February 25, 2014 - I plan to put in a small lawn on a tract of land near Rosanky, TX in Bastrop County. There are scattered oaks but the yard space will be mostly open. Soil is basically sandy. Is there a good native...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |