Native Plants
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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.
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Wednesday - August 20, 2014
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrub for Dallas Street
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I am looking for a native shrub for Dallas, Texas. It is full sun with a maximum height of 3 feet to border the street edge of a shopping center. It will get irrigated.ANSWER:
The first place to go to find a list of potential plants for your shady container is our Native Plant Database. Use the Combination Search feature instead of Recommended Species. This will provide a bigger selection with much more choice to narrow down.
Under Combination Search, select the following categories: TX, Habit – Shrub, Duration – Perennial, Light Requirement – Sun, Soil Moisture – Moist, and Size – 3-6 feet.
The best plant to consider from this search is:
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Flame Acanthus) – A native deciduous shrub, 3-5 feet tall. Reddish-orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Drought-tolerant. It takes well to shearing and can make a dense, low hedge.
Several other plants are suitable but their heights are taller than your requirements.
From the Image Gallery
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