Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - September 29, 2015

From: Francitas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native plant for border in central coastal Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking for a native plant suggestion for a border along my front porch in central coastal Texas. My site has heavy gumbo soil and strong sunlight. I want something not more than 2 or 3 feet tall.

ANSWER:

Here are suggestions for a native border plant for along your front portch.  They all grow in or in a county adjacent to Jackson County.

Borrichia frutescens (Bushy seaside tansy)

Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)

Malpighia glabra (Acerola)

Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage)

Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage)

 

 

From the Image Gallery


Bushy seaside tansy
Borrichia frutescens

Bushy seaside tansy
Borrichia frutescens

Blue mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum

Blue mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum

Barbados cherry
Malpighia glabra

Barbados cherry
Malpighia glabra

Scarlet sage
Salvia coccinea

Scarlet sage
Salvia coccinea

Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata

Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Is Canna glauca invasive?
June 10, 2015 - How aggressive is Canna glauca? I'm interested in planting one near a gutter downspout, but I'm afraid it will crowd out groundcovers (heartleaf skullcap and fall obedient plant) in the two location...
view the full question and answer

Less Maintenance Plant Suggestions for New Raised Bed in Henderson, NV.
April 03, 2014 - We have a newly constructed raised garden bed. I was wondering what kind of plants would be appropriate to plant this springtime in Henderson, NV with less maintenance because I work full time.
view the full question and answer

Pest Dug Up and Ate Hypoxis Corms
August 06, 2015 - After years of no problems, something recently dug up and ate all my Yellow star-grass corms. What is attracted to them and is there an organic way to prevent it?
view the full question and answer

Transplant shock in Liatris spicata
May 25, 2008 - I bought a liatris spicata start a month ago, and transplanted it into my front yard (full sun, clay soil, moist due to all the rain recently). The plant immediately wilted so I transplanted it in ...
view the full question and answer

Privacy screen from Simpsonville SC
May 04, 2013 - My neighbor cut down his part of our shared woods so now we see his whole "outside patio area". What kinds of fast growing shade loving trees and shrubs can we plant on our property line that will c...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.