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)
Friday - June 27, 2008
From: Broaddus, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Native plants for birds and butterflies
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have a home on Lake Sam Rayburn and in the process of putting in some plants and shrubs around our new home. I would like them to be native to the area and attract birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. Can you give me or tell me the easiest way to figure out what plants would work well and where I may find them? Thank you.ANSWER:
If you will go to our Recommended Species page and click on East Texas, you will get a list of "Commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in East Texas." On that same page with the Recommended Species, there is a a list of plants valuable to butterflies under Butterflies and Moths of North America and one for Hummingbird Plants for Central TexasBy choosing plants from the butterfly and hummingbird lists that you can find on the East Texas Recommended Species list, you should come up with a very nice list of wildflowers and shrubs for your property. Here are a few recommendations from those lists:
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood)
Erythrina herbacea (redcardinal)
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (wax mallow)
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet)
And, there are many more to choose from.
Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
You can search for nurseries and seed companies that specialize in native plants in your area in our National Suppliers Directory.
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Colony of bees nesting in sycamore
July 06, 2010 - I have a very large, old sycamore tree that has recently become home to a colony of honey bees. They have taken up dwelling in a hollow limb of the tree about 25 feet off the ground. While this is gre...
view the full question and answer
Bee-friendly perennials for Texas
March 19, 2011 - What plants native to east-central TX (College Station, 77840) will attract honeybees?
I have a small "yard" behind my condo. I'd like to plant flowering perennials that will support local bee ...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for a pond in MO
September 10, 2011 - I have a spring fed pond in Missouri and would like to plant perennial wildflowers in the area around it. Are there any that would do better or others that are not recommended?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for bees in Missouri
July 13, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I just became a beekeeper and would like to plant wildflowers that are best for bees. The area to plant is partially shaded with clay soil. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX.
August 26, 2011 - With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |