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 - July 23, 2008
From: Lindale, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Is Sedum recommended for a greenroof project in Houston
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Mark Simmons
QUESTION:
Would you recommend using Sedum for a green roof project in Houston, Texas? Will the humidity effect the sedum? If sedum would be a poor choice, what would you recommend for Houston?ANSWER:
No. Most sedums tend to come from dry temperate climates and from shallow or very well drained soil. In wet subtropical areas they can suffer from rot and can be out competed by weeds during wetter times of the year.
We tend to favor locally native plants that can tolerate a wide range of climate and soil conditions (i.e. those which have "generalists" traits)—most of the common and widespread prairie grasses and forbs would fall into this category. Selecting your species from this palette would increase your chance of success—you just have to decide what you want your roof to do (hold storm water) or how you want it to look (spring wildflowers). Please visit our Native Green Roofs page for more information about green roofs and a native species list that we are currently testing.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native plants that are dog-proof in South Texas
July 13, 2008 - I live in Odem, Texas and would like to use only native plants in my front and backyard. I have two puppies who love to dig. What plants should I use that require minimal attention from me and will no...
view the full question and answer
Controlling weeds in Buffalograss in Pflugerville, TX
September 26, 2009 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
After a visit to the wildflower center a few years ago, my husband and I decided to do buffalo grass from sod in our new house. We love the way it looks, but I've been neglec...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Habiturf in Austin
May 10, 2014 - I have been trying to establish a Habiturf lawn in my back yard. It is approximately a 1,000 square foot area and this last seeding was the third over about one and a half years. I just recently over ...
view the full question and answer
Shady Container Plant for Austin
August 20, 2014 - I am looking for a tall plant/small shrub/ornamental grass for a very large pot that is placed against the north wall of our Austin home. That spot gets some morning sun in the summer, but virtually ...
view the full question and answer
Replacing hawthorn bush with muhly grass from Plano TX
April 10, 2014 - I am thinking of replacing a hawthorn bush with a muhly grass plant or two in an edged area with river rock cover in Plano, texas. It is the black soil and not a sandy loam. We have a sprinkler syst...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |