Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - March 21, 2010
From: Albany, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Wildflowers for Area Around Drainage Pond in Georgia
Answered by: Nina Hawkins
QUESTION:
We have a drainage pond behind our business in Albany, Georgia and would like to plant about an acre of wildflowers around it to help with soil erosion and to help keep weeds from taking over again, we just cleaned it out. Do you know an inexpensive type of perennial wildflower we could plant that would thrive here.ANSWER:
To successfully repopulate the area around your drainage pond with wildflowers rather than "weeds" you'll want to use a seed mix (or two) that contains a variety of annual and perennial wildflowers and grasses rather than just picking one or two specific perennial wildflowers to seed. The annuals will reseed themselves and come back the next year and a wide variety of species will provide blooms at different times of the year. The grasses are especially important, because their extensive root systems will hold the soil in place and fill in the spaces between the flowering plants that would otherwise invite undesirables. You can check our Suppliers list or do a little searching on the internet for wildflower seed companies that sell in bulk for this very purpose. The seller should have different wildflower and grass mixes tailored to specific soil types and conditions so that you can purchase the mix that is right for your land. They will also have information about seeding rates that will tell you how much seed you'll need for the area of land you are trying to cover. Don't skimp - or you could end up back at square one with a weed meadow rather than the beautiful wildflower meadow flitting with bees and butterflies that you're dreaming of. Below I've listed a few attractive grasses and wildflowers that are native to Georgia that would likely be included in the seed mix that you choose. You'll find many others by searching our Plant Database or the Recommended Species list for Georgia.
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Monarda fistulosa(wild bergamot)
Rudbeckia laciniata (cutleaf coneflower)
Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus (trumpetweed)
Penstemon digitalis (talus slope penstemon)(blackeyed Susan)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
More Wildflowers Questions
Shady Groundcovers for NC
April 23, 2015 - I have a side yard that gets very little sun during the day and have tried St. Augustine grass unsuccessfully. Can you recommend a groundcover? We live close to the coast in Southeastern N. Carolina...
view the full question and answer
Baby Butts in Bluebonnets
March 14, 2004 - Do photo sessions in the Bluebonnet patch cause harm to the plants?
view the full question and answer
Planting wildflowers from Wichita Falls, TX
August 24, 2013 - Hi,
Thanks so much for the answers you give! You've been very helpful to me in the past. I have two quick questions:
1) I have been harvesting seeds from my wildflowers. I wonder when the best time...
view the full question and answer
More on bluebonnets
July 01, 2005 - I've seen several recommendtions for using a Bluebonnet Inoculant when planting Bluebonnets.
"For best success, we strongly suggest using Bluebonnet inoculant (to assist in fixing nitrogen into soi...
view the full question and answer
Planning a park along a railroad track in Williamston, SC
May 14, 2008 - We have a railroad track in Williamston, and we are cleaning up the park. Removing trees, planting flowers,shrubs. The track is on high ground and the Fire Dept. has burnt off the weeds. What kind of...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |