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
Sunday - March 26, 2006
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native plants suitable for rock garden in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'd like to start a rock garden. The area is very rocky, the soil is shallow and it's partially shaded. I'd like mostly perennials that flower from spring to fall. I hope to make some purchases from the Native Plant Center Sale at Westchester Community College on 4/29. What are your suggestions? Thanks.ANSWER:
Here is a list of perennial plants native to New York that are suitable for a rock garden:
Smooth rock cress (Arabis laevigata)
Lyre-leaved rock cress (Arabis lyrata), can be biennial or perennial
Tower mustard (Arabis glabra) can be annual, biennial, or perennial
Red bearberry or kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
American alumroot (Heuchera americana)
Bluets (Houstonia caerulea)
Bay forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa) or Spring forget-me-not (Myosotis verna)
Moss phlox (Phlox subulata)
Dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis) or Common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)
Three-toothed cinquefoil or Shrubby-fivefingers (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Synonym = Potentilla tridentata)
Early saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis)
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Common speedwell (Veronica officinalis)
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
Woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)
It appears that Westchester Community College Native Plant Center will offer some of these in their April sale. You can visit our National Suppliers Directory to find other resources for native plants in your area.
The The North American Rock Garden Society has instructions on constructing a rock garden and links to related subjects.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants for hanging flower boxes from Austin
July 27, 2013 - I have two long flower boxes 17" x 15" x 25 feet long one on the north side of the apt and one on the south made of metal suspended about four feet from the ground. One will get the morning sun and ...
view the full question and answer
Speed of growth on plants from Plant Sale from Austin
April 28, 2012 - Hello,
I recently attended the native plant sale and bought several plants for a sunny curbside bed in central Austin. Due to financial constraints I stuck with the 3 inch varieties so I could buy 3 ...
view the full question and answer
Failure of Gerbera daisies in hanging basket
July 08, 2008 - I had perennial Gerbera daisies in a hanging basket, the flowers died,I was not sure whether to remove just the flower or to go from the flower to the stem at the plants main stem? There is nothing re...
view the full question and answer
Leaf browning on blackfoot daisy in Arizona
August 26, 2008 - Blackfoot daisy plant was doing great; then, in one day, it turned brown like it had no water. Have a watering system in place which waters once a day for one hour 1/2 gallon a hour.
view the full question and answer
Flowers that open during the day from Webster NY
August 17, 2011 - Can you provide some information on flowers and plants that open during day with some examples.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |