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
Friday - January 09, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Planting, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: wildflowers with interesting seed heads for winter interest
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am looking to establish a wildflower meadow this year, and I want to include wildflowers that have interesting seed heads for winter interest. What would be your recommendation? Thanks!ANSWER:
Preserving interesting plant parts for winter arrangements is a popular pastime. There are many local native plants well suited for the purpose. Monarda citriodora (Lemon beebalm), Solidago altissima (Tall goldenrod), Ratibida columnifera (Mexican hat), Anaphalis margaritacea (Western pearly everlasting), Arnoglossum plantagineum (Groovestem indian plantain), Baccharis neglecta (False willow), Vernonia lindheimeri (Woolly ironweed), Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworth's eryngo) and Euphorbia bicolor (Snow on the prairie) are common examples. And don't forget the often beautiful seed heads of grasses, such as Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass), Setaria scheelei (Southwestern bristlegrass),Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) and Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly). Often the centerpiece of the arrangement is seedpods of an agave, such as Agave americana (American century plant), Agave parryi (Parry's agave) or Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca).
Many plants or seeds of these species can be found at your local plant nurseries. Grass seeds are available from the Native American Seed.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Zexmenia in upstate NY
March 13, 2011 - Will zexmenia survive in upstate New York (Albany)?
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for April wedding near Austin TX
August 31, 2015 - Home wedding April 2016. Live North of Austin.on 200 acres ranch and would like to plant wildflowers. What to plant? When to plant? Flowers that will sustain in vase or bouquet?
view the full question and answer
Wildflower seeds that drop into a sidewalk crack
May 31, 2006 - This is an odd question. I'm writing a children's book about a seed that gets dropped in the crack of a sidewalk or driveway and blooms there. Can you tell me if there are any wildflowers that it ...
view the full question and answer
Native wildflowers attracting bees in Schulenberg TX
March 12, 2011 - What native wildflowers are honey bees attracted to?
view the full question and answer
When to mow bluebonnets
May 12, 2005 - I have approx. 2 acres on the side and front of my house in Austin County. When can I mow the remaining high grass and not disturb the natural renewal? Also, I plan to purchase more bluebonnet seed ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |