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
Wednesday - August 18, 2010
From: Syracuse, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Water Gardens
Title: Need water absorbing plants in Syracuse, NY
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I'm Looking for water absorbing plants and shrubs -not so much trees. My rain barrels and downspouts are still creating too much run off. I want to line a walkway and keep rainwater run-off from draining in neighbors yard!! Help!! The space is a partial to full sun area. Thanks for your help!!ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks that your problem maybe calls more for a Hydrologist than a Botanist. All plants absorb water, but not to the extent that you want. Plants can divert the flow of the run off, but they can't eliminate it. Perhaps a landscape architect can design a drainage system that would keep the water out of your neighbor's yard, or maybe you can add more rain barrels to your collection system.
More Water Gardens Questions
Native plants for a littoral zone in Fort Myers, Florida
June 05, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
What native plants would you recommend for the littoral zone on a pond in Fort Myers Florida?
Damon's Mom
view the full question and answer
Poolside plants for East Texas
June 18, 2015 - What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas?
view the full question and answer
Plants for a pond bank in Gladwin MI
September 13, 2009 - Our acre-size pond bank is sloped and high maintenance--needs mowed. We have lots of deer. We would like to plant a low-lying ground cover to eliminate mowing the bank--any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen perennials for a pond bank in Texas
June 18, 2015 - We want evergreen perennial plants for the banks of our small pond. The banks are eroding and we need to help keep them strong. We have ducks in the pond and lots of turtles. We would love something ...
view the full question and answer
Poor drainage in clay soils in Langhorne PA
September 15, 2009 - Our backyard has very poor drainage, to the point of up to 3 inches of rain can sit until it is evaporated. Talking to neighbors, they informed us that there use to be a terrain that ran through our ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |