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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Wednesday - July 02, 2008

From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Grasses and flowering plants for Dallas
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have an area of morning sun next to my house about ten feet deep. I would like to mix a fairly tall grass with two other plants, flowering. What are some of your suggestions?

ANSWER:

In order to find some suggestions to make, we went to Recommended Species, clicked on North Central Texas on the map, and then narrowed our search by clicking on first grasses and then herbs (herbaceous perennials) for habit, perennial for duration and part sun (2 to 6 hours a day of sun). The flowers we chose are tall and sturdy so they can show up with the grasses, but of course, you can use the same methods to find others you like better. Be sure and read all the page links to the various plants in our Native Plant Database so you will know when and how they should be planted. To find native plant suppliers, go to Suppliers, type your town and name in the Enter Search Location box, and you will get the names, addresses, etc. of nurseries, seed companies and landscape professionals in your general area.

GRASSES

Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - 4 to 8 ft. tall

Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) - 2 to 3 ft. tall

Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) - 3 to 8 ft. tall

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) - 2 to 4 ft. tall

HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower) - 2 to 5 ft. tall

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) - 1 to 2 ft. tall

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower) - 1 to 6 ft. tall

Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia) - 1 to 3 ft. tall