Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Tuesday - August 26, 2008
From: Benton City, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plant for eastern facing side of house in Washington
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
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?ANSWER:
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.) is native to South Africa so we wouldn't recommend them for planting since what we are about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to "increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes." You can see a list of more than 200 Washington Recommended native species that are commercially available for landscaping by clicking on Washington on the map on our Recommended Species page. Here are some choices from that list that you might consider instead of Lily of the Nile:
Iris missouriensis (Rocky Mountain iris)
Iris douglasiana (Douglas iris)
Brodiaea coronaria (crown brodiaea)
Camassia quamash (small camas)
Lilium columbianum (Columbia lily)
Maianthemum stellatum (starry false lily of the valley)
Triteleia grandiflora var. grandiflora (largeflower triteleia)
Aconitum columbianum (Columbian monkshood)
Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine)
Phacelia sericea (silky phacelia)
Aquilegia formosa (western columbine)
Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium (fireweed)
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Maintenance of milkweed from Austin
September 12, 2013 - I help plant and maintain a Monarch Waystation Garden in San Leanna, Texas (South Austin). Should milkweed plants be cut back during the winter? Last year we cut them back a bit late and some died c...
view the full question and answer
Starting shade-tolerant ground covers in New York
September 10, 2013 - Hi, I have seen some of the posts for shade-tolerant ground cover on the east end of Long Island and my question is process related. Now that I've identified the grasses/plants I need to keep my fro...
view the full question and answer
Fungal root rot in non-native Shasta daisies in Channahon IL
July 21, 2009 - HELP! My Shasta daisies have fungal root rot. Is there any way to save them? I've been removing the browned stems. I'm so sad.
view the full question and answer
Native plants for full sun and low maintenance
May 13, 2006 - I have volunteered to plant flowers/bushes around a sign at my church. I want to plant indigenous plants so the maintenance is low but I also want attractive plants. The soil is clay and the locatio...
view the full question and answer
Native moss to fill in between flagstones
April 21, 2008 - I live in Houston and have a long, narrow flagstone path that runs along the east side of the house. I am looking for a native moss that can fill in between the flagstones and will tolerate morning su...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |