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
Sunday - October 06, 2013
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Planting times and sun for native plants from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
When to plant Phacelia congesta seeds? Can Maximilian sunflowers tolerate partial shade?ANSWER:
Following this link, Phacelia congesta (Blue curls), to our webpage on this plant, you will find these propagation instructions:
"Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Easy to grow from seed sown in fall."
This link, Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower), will take you to our webpage with this information:
"Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Prefers moist clay-like soil, but tolerant of a wide range of soils including Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: A native prairie perennial, this sunflower is a desirable range plant, eaten by many livestock. A heavy crop of seeds is produced, thus it is also a valuable plant for wildlife. Numerous yellow flower heads grow on their its stalk."
We consider "sun" to be 6 hours or more of sun a day, and partial shade to be 2 to 6 hours of sun. With native flowers, the more sun, the better the flowering is usually the rule. Since it is a perennial, you could always try some in sun and some in partial shade, and see which perseveres.
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
When to plant wildflowers in California
December 10, 2013 - When is the best time to plant wildflowers in California?
view the full question and answer
Seed planting of Crossvine from Orlando FL
September 12, 2011 - Seed planting of Bignonia capreolata - Tangerine Beauty. I have seed pods. Do I plant how deep and should I put in a plastic bag with a wet papertowel in the refrigerator and let it sprout? ...
view the full question and answer
Dill-like plant in veggie garden in California
September 28, 2011 - I have a plant that appeared in my veggie garden. Looks like dill in spring when green, but the leaves smell more like turpentine! Now, 4-5 foot tall, brown, it produces lots of small, oval - not cr...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower Seed Planting in Austin in April
April 30, 2015 - What wildflower seeds can I plant in April? Is there a schedule?
view the full question and answer
Corn gluten on Habiturf from Austin
January 25, 2014 - I live in Central Austin. This past Spring 2013) I replaced my San Augustine lawn with Habiturf. My question concerns corn gluten. It is usually applied in late Jan - mid Feb. Would using corn glu...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |