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

Thursday - July 12, 2012

From: Greensboro, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Water Gardens, Planting
Title: Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants Swamp Rose Mallow, Southern Blue Iris, Soft Rush, American Bur-reed, American lotus, Woolgrass and Duck Potato Is it better in spring? fall? by species job is in Winston Salem NC

ANSWER:

Since all the plants you asked about are native to North America, and therefore in our Native Plant Database, it looks like you started out with our database (which we appreciate) and are asking about those that had no Propagation Instructions in them. We are always touched when our correspondents believe we know everything about native plants, but usually we just know what it is our database.

We are going to see what we can find on the Internet. You can do this by following each link below, scrolling down the page of our webpage on that plant and, under Additional Resources, click on Search Google on (_plant name____). Obviously, you are planning a water garden, as these are all aquatics.

You probably already know you will seldom find these at a big box store with a nursery, and will have to go to specialty water gardening shops. The people there should be more knowledgeable than we are, and  can give you help on propagation methods and seasons. If you have difficulty locating these specialty shops, go to our National Suppliers Directory, fill in your town and state or zip code in the "Enter Search Location" box. This will give you a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and consultants in your general area. All have contact information so you can check for availability before you start driving.

Hibiscus grandiflorus (Large-flowered hibiscus) - Floridata

Iris virginica var. shrevei (Shreve's iris) - U. S.Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers,

Juncus effusus (Common rush) - North Creek Nursery,

Sparganium americanum (American bur-reed) Center for Aquatics and Invasive Plants

Nelumbo lutea (American lotus) - Center for Aquatics and Invasive Plants

Scirpus cyperinus (Woolgrass) - Illinois Wildflowers

Sagittaria latifolia (Broadleaf arrowhead) - Illinois Wildflowers

 

From the Image Gallery


Shreve's iris
Iris virginica var. shrevei

Common rush
Juncus effusus

American lotus
Nelumbo lutea

Woolgrass
Scirpus cyperinus

Broadleaf arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia

More Water Gardens Questions

Understory plants for Lake Forest IL
June 21, 2009 - We have a large mostly hardwood lot in Lake County. It floods when it rains hard and remains damp most of the year due to the amount of shade and clay based top soil. Besides the hardwood trees and ...
view the full question and answer

Plants for floodplain in Fairfield, New Jersey
March 21, 2010 - I have an easy question for you... I hope... We just moved into the floodplains of NJ in Fairfield and are interested in some plants. We would like to know what plants are best suited to grow in flood...
view the full question and answer

Native water plants for bio-retention pond in North Carolina
July 22, 2009 - I am looking for North Carolina native plants that can take part shade and very wet conditions (bioretention pond environment). Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer

The origin of Juncus effusus var. Big Twister
May 04, 2008 - Juncus effusus, var. 'Big Twister' We're trying to figure out the nativity of this thing, and whether it is safe to plant in our very wet rain garden. Thank you for any assistance...
view the full question and answer

Water-loving native plants for Pottstown, PA
September 11, 2009 - I live about 40 miles west of Philadelphia. I am looking for a water absorbing evergreen tree/bush/plant that I could plant in the rear of my yard. We get a small stream every good rain and the back...
view the full question and answer

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