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.

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Sunday - January 06, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Rain Gardens
Title: Plants for a bioswale or rain garden
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, What plants do you recommend for a bioswale or rain garden in Austin, Texas?

ANSWER:

Rain garden plants need to be able to tolerate growing in standing water, but also need to be able to thrive when the water dries up. The plants below should meet those criteria and will do well in sun or partial shade (2 to 6 hours sun per day).

GRASSES/GRASS-LIKE:

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass)

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)

Equisetum hyemale var. affine (scouringrush horsetail)

SHRUBS/SMALL TREES:

Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood)

Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)

Hibiscus laevis (halberdleaf rosemallow)

Hibiscus moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow)