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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - March 26, 2006
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native plants suitable for rock garden in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'd like to start a rock garden. The area is very rocky, the soil is shallow and it's partially shaded. I'd like mostly perennials that flower from spring to fall. I hope to make some purchases from the Native Plant Center Sale at Westchester Community College on 4/29. What are your suggestions? Thanks.ANSWER:
Here is a list of perennial plants native to New York that are suitable for a rock garden:
Smooth rock cress (Arabis laevigata)
Lyre-leaved rock cress (Arabis lyrata), can be biennial or perennial
Tower mustard (Arabis glabra) can be annual, biennial, or perennial
Red bearberry or kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
American alumroot (Heuchera americana)
Bluets (Houstonia caerulea)
Bay forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa) or Spring forget-me-not (Myosotis verna)
Moss phlox (Phlox subulata)
Dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis) or Common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)
Three-toothed cinquefoil or Shrubby-fivefingers (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Synonym = Potentilla tridentata)
Early saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Common speedwell (Veronica officinalis)
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
Woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)
It appears that Westchester Community College Native Plant Center will offer some of these in their April sale. You can visit our National Suppliers Directory to find other resources for native plants in your area.
The The North American Rock Garden Society has instructions on constructing a rock garden and links to related subjects.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Replacing St. Augustine with Horse herb in Austin, TX.
December 12, 2012 - I'm considering replacing my St. Augustine grass with a Horseherb/Straggler Daisy ground cover, but I've heard that it provides a mosquito breeding habitat, especially if you allow dead leaves to de...
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant Plants for Newton Square, PA
August 25, 2014 - I'm looking for highly deer resistant plants native to PA.
Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Why Don't Phlox Bloom?
July 26, 2015 - My summer phlox only bush up but never bloom. They are in full sun.
view the full question and answer
Removing invasive Dichelostemma firecracker plant from Austin
April 12, 2012 - We have dichelostemma firecracker plant & cannot kill it. We need help in getting rid of this plant. Spent another 3 hours digging up corms this afternoon. It is invading our backyard & want it kil...
view the full question and answer
Horsetail Rush invasive in Santa Monica CA
January 16, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants:
I live about 3 miles from the beach in the Santa Monica area and have an 18inch deep planter area in my backyard that is adjacent to my garage. I like the look of horsetail rush. I...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |