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.

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?

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

Friday - March 26, 2010

From: Calera, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plants with color for steep slope in Calera, Alabama
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a large steep slope in my back yard that the developer called a privacy break. It has poor soil and gets full sun. I have planted muhly and maiden grasses but would like some color. The slope is very hard to walk on and need something with low maintenance. I live in Calera Alabama. Can you please help me?

ANSWER:

Here are some plants that are native to your area that produce colorful blooms in full sun that should do well on your slope:

Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)

Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)

Monarda citriodora (lemon beebalm)

Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea)

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)

Liatris elegans (pinkscale blazing star)

Phlox pilosa (downy phlox)

Here are photos of the above plants from our Image Gallery:

Gaillardia pulchella

Oenothera speciosa

Monarda citriodora

Rudbeckia hirta

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida

Liatris elegans

Phlox pilosa

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Mealy blue sage drooping from Canyon Lake TX
May 07, 2013 - Mealy Blue Sage @ 4 ft Tall - Planted three Mealy Blue Sage last year and they topped out at 2 ft tall. This year they are 4 ft tall in early May, and many of the stems are growing near horizontal...
view the full question and answer

Something eating Monarda didyma in Washington DC
June 30, 2011 - Please Help, I have a couple of Bee Balm, Jacob Cline, plants, whose leave are being eaten, by what I do not know. None of the nurseries around here seem to have ever heard of this happening to this p...
view the full question and answer

Cake decorations with flowers
February 25, 2009 - Can I decorate a cake with bluebonnets, lavender or mountain laurel blooms?
view the full question and answer

Plants for pavilion over fountain in Washington State
December 26, 2008 - I have a tall fountain in a 7 foot square which is surrounded by pavers. Inside the 7' square there is about a 2' mulched soil bed around the center fountain and an iron type pavilion that goes up h...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a property near a conservation area in MD
July 18, 2011 - Can you tell me what native plants and the type of landscaping that would be good to plant in front of a forest conservation area that is on a steep hill behind our future house? It is located in Manc...
view the full question and answer

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