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.
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.
rate this answer
Monday - March 22, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: More on bluebonnets
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
My Bluebonnets have taken over my flowerbed. Are there plants that can be planted along with Bluebonnets in a flowerbed?ANSWER:
There are several possible reasons that your Bluebonnets have become overly successful in your flowerbed: competition (a plant species successfully increasing its population by out-competing other species for existing resources) or allelopathy (lupines produce alkaloids that are released into the soil and can inhibit germination and growth in other plants). Try incorporating plants that you might see growing amongst the Bluebonnets in their natural habitat, plants that can co-exist and are possibly resistant to their allelopathic effects. Some suggestions for your eco-region (North Texas): Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa), Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), Mexican hats (Ratabida columnaris), golden-wave (Coreopsis basilis), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Drummond phlox (Phlox drummondii).
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Fall Flower Planting in Abilene, TX
October 14, 2014 - Are there any flowers that can be planted in the fall in Abilene Texas?
view the full question and answer
Wildflower planting in Northeast Pennsylvania
April 16, 2007 - I live in PA, Northeast, and have high grass that is mostly wet, I was wondering if I could just throw wildflower seeds out into the high grass and if they would grow.
view the full question and answer
Planting wildflowers on roadsides in Dallas
July 23, 2011 - Am interested in leading Y Princess group in community effort to plant wildflowers along roads in Dallas area. Do you have any advice on how to approach the problem or sources for the seeds?
view the full question and answer
When Should Wildflower Seeds be Planted in Dallas, Texas
November 28, 2011 - Mr. Pants: I have received some seed packets of wildflower seeds from GO TEXAN. How late can I plant these in central Dallas (8 a/b)?
view the full question and answer
Does the Dyschoriste oblongifolia attract snakes ?
May 19, 2010 - Does the Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)attract snakes?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |