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 - August 21, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Low maintenance, low growing native plants
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Mr. Smarty Plants, Could you recommend several low growing easy to maintain plants for planting next to our house. The area for the plants is next to the house(white stone) in between the house and the walkway to the front door. The width is 14 inches between the house and walkway and 24 feet long. Thanks.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants thinks any of these, or a combination of them, would do very nicely:

Chrysactinia mexicana (damianita)

Calylophus berlandieri ssp. pinifolius (Berlandier's sundrops)

Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)

Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)

Salvia roemeriana (cedar sage)

Salvia greggii (autumn sage)

Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia)


Chrysactinia mexicana

Calylophus berlandieri ssp. pinifolius

Melampodium leucanthum

Monarda fistulosa

Salvia roemeriana

Salvia greggii

Wedelia texana

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Need suggestions for landscaping along a creek in Lenoir, NC
July 25, 2011 - I live in Lenoir, NC and would like to landscape my creek bank that is about 90 feet long and is 200 feet from my house. I thought about evergeen bushes maybe rhododendron; some grasses; a few trees ...
view the full question and answer

What flowers will ducks and swans not eat?
January 11, 2009 - I live by ducks and swans. They love eating my flowers. Any suggestions on what flowering plants they won't eat?
view the full question and answer

Getting rid of rain lilies in Aledo, TX
August 24, 2008 - How do I get rain lilies to stop growing in my yard?
view the full question and answer

Plant for eastern facing side of house in Washington
August 26, 2008 - I was considering putting some Lily of the Nile in front of the eastern facing side of my home. Is this plant a suitable choice for planting here in Eastern Washington?
view the full question and answer

Transplant shock in Texas Star hibiscus
July 31, 2008 - Why is my Texas star plant wilting and now is starting to turn yellow? I just bought it from a nursery and put it in a new pot.
view the full question and answer

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