Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - February 17, 2009

From: Cleburne, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Perennial herbs and woody species for North Texas
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I have recently moved to North Texas. It would be helpful to know some hardy perennial flowers to plant. Also what types of shrubs and trees that do well in the area. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Among the many user-friendly features of the Native Plant Information Network website are the Recommended Species Lists in which you can do custom searches. When you go to the Recommended Species page, you will see that Texas has been divided into several regions.  You are in the North Central Texas region. Clicking on that region produces a list of 105 plant species native to and recommended for landscaping in your area.  Near the top of the page you will see a "Narrow Your Seach" tool.  Click on the title and choose "Tree" from the "Habit" dropdown menu to find a list of 29 tree species for your area.  You can do a similar search for shrubs.  Or choose "Herb" in the "Habit" dropdown and "Perennial" in the "Duration" dropdown to get a list of 25 herbaceous perennials suitable for landscapes in North-central Texas.

Take some time to explore NPIN and discover some of the many useful tools at your disposal there!

 

More Wildflowers Questions

Wildflower seed for west central Texas acreage
June 06, 2005 - We have a ranch in central Texas between Brownwood and Brady and want to plant wildflowers that will grow in that area. We'd like to cover acreage and need information on what mix would suit our are...
view the full question and answer

Invasive Indian paintbrushes in Grawn MI
June 04, 2012 - I have lots of Indian paintbrushes crowding my lawn and taking over the grass..what kills it without killing the grass?
view the full question and answer

Wildseed Planting in a drought
September 14, 2011 - Due to the extreme drought and no rain in the near future in central Texas would it be prudent to have a wildseed planting in October?
view the full question and answer

Promoting Monarch Habitats in Texas
July 11, 2016 - My parents have a 6 acre pasture in East, TX with native milkweed in it. What are the best times of year to bush hog to promote more milkweeds & do you know of any grants to help manage land for monar...
view the full question and answer

Indoor and Outdoor, Fast Growing Plants for California
October 22, 2015 - I’m looking for the best plants for me. I have small kids so they would have to be safe. I would like them to be able to grow inside or outside. I would love for them to grow fast and reproduce fast.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.