Native Plants
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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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Saturday - May 12, 2007
From: Garland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens, Xeriscapes, Shrubs
Title: Recommendations for native plants for Dallas Co., TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Looking for a Recommendation: Can you suggest a plant that meets the following requirements? ENVIRONMENT -- - I live in Garland, in Dallas County, TX. - The soil is primarily clay. - Full sun in most locations. PLANT REQUIREMENTS -- - Needs to grow at least 6 feet tall on average. - The less water it needs, the better. (Xeriscape-grade.) - Must be 'productive'; bearing edible fruit or seeds. I'm trying to line a fence that faces a street. The "fuller" and "bushier" the plants, the better, for noise reduction.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants can think of three plants that fit your requirements: Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), Rhus virens (evergreen sumac, and Ilex vomitoria (yaupon.
All three are evergreen, relatively fast-growing, and once established, require little water. They have flowers that attract bees and butterflies and berries that attract birds. All three occur in, or adjacent to, Dallas County, Texas.
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