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 - June 22, 2015
From: Lubbock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Container Gardens, Xeriscapes, Drought Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Container Plants for Lubbock, Texas
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Hello! I am looking for plants suitable for container gardening for a west facing porch in Lubbock. Plants need to be super tough to endure the baking sun, constant wind, dry air, extreme temperatures in the different seasons, and reflected light in this location. All suggestions welcome!ANSWER:
You are correct that plants have to be super tough to survive the extreme heat, drought and temperatures for containers on your west facing porch.
To find some possible plants, take a look at the Native Plant Database and search for Texas, Herb, Perennial, Sun, Dry and 0-3 feet in height. This will generate a large list of plants but not all will be suitable for containers. You may have to try several plants to find out what will work best in your situation.
So some plants to consider are:
Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow) Trim to keep compact.
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Dichondra argentea (Silver Ponyfoot)
Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmann's Daisy) Has a tap root so needs a deep pot.
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie Verbena)
Lenophyllum texanum (Coastal Stonecrop)
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot Daisy)
Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage)
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Dividing non-native daffodils from Austin
April 15, 2012 - The foliage on my daffodils is lush and healthy, but I have no blooms. Should I divide them?
view the full question and answer
Golden groundsel plants or seeds for Bulverde TX
October 02, 2011 - Where can I find golden groundsel, plants or seeds?
view the full question and answer
Correct size for Wright penstemon from Granger TX
April 21, 2012 - The Wright penstemon pictured as your main plant, looks nothing like the other pictures below it. I realize, they can be pink or red. But the LARGE speciman out in your gardens is nowhere near the 1...
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
Cotton plant for yard in Plano
July 27, 2008 - I wish to plant a specimen cotton plant in my yard - will it grow in Plano, Texas, do you have any tips for maintaining them, and will they survive freezing temperatures?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |