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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Need to identify Cherry laurel varietyin Bee Caves, TX March 29, 2016 I recently had cherry laurels installed in my yard for privacy. Unfortunately, the landscaper does not know what type of cherry laurel they are. The tag from the tree says Che-Com which to me might in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree with blue berries in Los Angeles, CA March 22, 2016 There's a tree outside my house with somewhat thin and short spiky leaves with blue berries. The berries Some of the berries have a frost look and some are dark blue. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of fast growing vine in San Francisco March 20, 2016 Really need to know what kind of vine is growing rapidly in the garden. Can't find out in plant identification: started to grow profusely after rainfall. Grows at rate of 6-8" per day (!). Has ivy-l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of non-native plant March 17, 2016 I have a plant that grows about 1' tall, looks sort of like a dracaena. The leaves grow off of a short stem and are yellowish (no green at all) with brilliant slashes of hot pink an red. It is georg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vining plant with red berries in California January 28, 2016 We found a vining plant next to and growing in our stream with gorgeous purple leaves in the fall after frost and a few sporadic clusters of smooth small red berries with little thorns on the vine. We... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, TX? January 26, 2016 What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, Texas called? They are dark green with spiky leaves and rough bark. I have a row planted as a windscreen and want to transplant a couple from a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wanting to grow a Buckley Oak in Amarillo, TX January 20, 2016 I live in Amarillo Texas in the Texas Panhandle. I recently became interested in the Buckley Oak and was wondering if it might grow well here and if so, where I might find one that I could purchase a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Goldenball leadtree really evergreen, as we state? January 17, 2016 Please would you confirm that Goldenball leadtree Leucaena retusa is evergreen as stated on this website and not deciduous as stated by Wasowski in Native Texas Plants? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| ID for Caribbean mystery plants. January 13, 2016 I AM TRYING TO FIND THE COMMON NAME FOR TWO FLOWERS I TOOK PICTURES OF ON A CARIBBEAN CRUISE. I TOOK ONE IN HONDURAS AND ONE IN GRAND CAYMAN. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE I CAN GO TO TO GET HELP IN ID... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? December 27, 2015 What is the name of the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? I am familiar with amour honeysuckle, and I'm sure that it is not that. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit? December 10, 2015 In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| ID for two flowers blooming in November in Buda TX November 29, 2015 two different plants growing in my wild area. 1. springs of tiny yellow flowers atop almost foot tall woody stem. 2. Clump of tiny near white bud like flowers. clump about 6 to 8 inches across on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Website with map showing occurence of species November 25, 2015 Hello and thank you so much for this amazing site and all the information you provide. Recently after reading about some really neat species on here I ended up surfing the net for pictures and somehow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of Verbesina occidentalis (Yellow crownbeard) in Burnet County TX November 23, 2015 Looked up (small) yellow crownbeard..yellow, no description or pic. Csn you tell me if this is what is in this pic? THX! Can't insert a pic to say y/n. 😟it's in Burnet, Co..SE of Marble Fal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of Bidens aristosa (Tickseed sunflower) in Texas November 20, 2015 I think the ID of the plant I submitted a description of yesterday is Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens aristosa). Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Spriranthes sp. blooming on rocky hilltop November 13, 2015 I am not sure if my previous question went thru, so I am submitting it again. How unusual is it to find a few blooming specimens of Spiranthes sp. on a rocky hilltop west of Loop 360 near Bee Caves R... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of evergreen tree at Barton Springs in Austin TX October 11, 2015 I am trying to identify an evergreen tree at Barton Springs in Austin. It is growing on the south lawn overlooking the pool. It has needles arranged in a fan like shape and makes a kind of crown-shape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to tell Monarda citriodora from Monarda punctata. September 18, 2015 Hello! I'm wondering if you could clarify the differences between Monarda citriodora and Monarda punctata. Perhaps they do a lot of hybridizing, but I have plenty of conflicting info on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree with light-colored bark, thorns and long white clumps of flowers August 18, 2015 I bought a tree at the LBJWC plant sale a couple years ago but lost the name of the tree. I'm finally ready to plant it in the ground and would like to learn more about what its needs are. Can you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of tree in South Carolina August 18, 2015 I don't know if this is native as I'm new to South Carolina. This is a tree about 40' tall. The leaves are trilobal, 10" to a foot across/long and are trilobal, not glossy and have big veins. T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of flower in book August 12, 2015 Hi, I make paper flowers and I came across this flower in my book under the name camellia. But I am sure it is not. I tried finding out similar flowers but i am lost as I don't know if such a flower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification August 07, 2015 I live in southeastern Michigan. I found a plant growing in the backyard that caught my eye. I chalked it off as a weed, but it's unique. It is shaped like a bushing type plant, has red stem, each cl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vining shrub near Fort Worth August 07, 2015 Please let me know what this plant might be. Saw it one county west of Ft. Worth, in a wooded area, and I've never seen this in this region before. The form is a vining shrub. Leaves are heart-sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bee-friendly bush with small yellow flowers in Minnesota August 04, 2015 I was up north in Minnesota and saw a bee friendly bush with small yellow flowers clustered so they looked like small (4"-6") flocked Christmas trees. Any ideas? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of ball-shaped purple flower in Connecticut July 13, 2015 I am trying to identify a ball shaped purple/light purple flower with opposite leaves that look fern like. It has been in bloom since late May or early June. I have found it growing with what appear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native orchids in Bowie and Harris Counties July 02, 2015 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I was wondering what types of orchids are native to Bowie County and Harris County. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Horsemint for Connecticut July 01, 2015 Will horsemint grow in Connecticut? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between Oxalis debilis and Oxalis violacea June 22, 2015 There are two species of pink oxalis reported to grow here in Jefferson County, Oxalis debilis (introduced) and O. violacea (native). How can I positively identify which one I have growing in my yard? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine with 5 pointed deep lobed leaves and small white flowers June 21, 2015 I recently happened upon a very peculiar vine. It has 5 pointed very deep lobed leaves, that are semi hairy on both the top and bottom with small white flowers that emerge from the same part of the st... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Invasive vine with yellow flowers in Austin June 21, 2015 What is the invasive vine in Austin that has wire like stems and small leaves. It just blossomed huge yellow flowers this spring. It climbs cliff, trees, bldgs., etc. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with speckled green leaf June 21, 2015 I have a purple (or brown) speckled green leaf plant with tiny yellow daisy-like flowers. The leaf is fuzzy looking on the edge. Self seeds freely in my shady garden. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant friend bought at plant sale June 20, 2015 Can you Please Identify this plant? A friend had bought it at a plant sale and she thinks it was called a money tree. I am curios as to what it really is because it has jagged edges on the leaves and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of fleshy three-leaved vine in Central Texas June 20, 2015 I have a 3 leaved evergreen vine, that I assume is a central Texas native, growing in my yard in a non irrigated mostly shady spot. It has a strong odor when touched and looks and feels like a succule... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A blue-eyed grass with salmon-colored blooms? June 16, 2015 Has anyone heard of a blue-eyed grass variety that has salmon-colored blooms? I have a photo if needed. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of cinnamon-scented bush from Pennsylvania May 23, 2015 I had a "bush" in PA that the woman who sold it to me called a cinnamon bush. It had long branches with large (approx 5" long and 3" wide) dark green leaves attached evenly along each side of the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of white flowering bush with lovely scent May 17, 2015 Please identify the sweet smelling white flowering bush/tree blooming now,May, in western Massachusetts. The flowers are tiny 4(?) petals in small clusters. The scent is wonderful. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of grass-like plant with white or cream flowers in The Woodlands, TX? May 16, 2015 What is the name of the tall grass-like plant with small white or cream flowers that is planted in most esplanades in The Woodlands, TX.? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bleeding Heart-Like Plant Identification in PA May 09, 2015 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. We have a plant that looks almost like the bleeding heart, as in the way the bell shaped (not heart) white flowers hang downward on the stem. However, the leaves are broader and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of vining plants in yard in Texas May 08, 2015 I have vining plants in my back-yard, here when I bought the house, that, from what I have been able to find on-line, look like poison sumac, however, I know they are not. Leaf shape, color, and appe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Orange-flowered bush on Wildflower Center grounds April 19, 2015 What is the orange colored bush like Sphaeralcea blooming right now. It is in one of the planted gardens. I could find no name plate. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of ivy-like plant with large purplish leaves. March 27, 2015 Can you ID this ivy-like growing plant with a big purplish elephant ear type leaf and a big green stem pouch? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of mystery tree in Huntington Beach, CA March 25, 2015 Have a "tree" that has grown from about 18" tall to about 10' tall in a little over a years time. It has a central trunk that is about 3/4" in diameter at it's largest. It has short thin branch... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of mystery plant in yard in El Paso, Texas March 24, 2015 I have a plant bed in my yard with mostly shade, in the winter it looked like 10-15 sticks about 2-3 ft tall coming from the ground. Now early March there are green and maroon leaves only growing at t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees with white blossoms in Crockett, Texas March 21, 2015 What are the trees that are blooming just East of Crockett Texas (off of Hwy 21) right now - fairly large trees - multitude of white blooms - almost like a wild plum or pear, but tree seems too large?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Inquiry about the Arizona Cypress trees in the Family Garden March 20, 2015 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently visited The Wildflower Center and enjoyed seeing several features that were new since my last visit two years ago. In the Family Garden areas I saw several beautifu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Observation of Kalmia angustifolia in George Washington National Forest in Virginia March 19, 2015 On Feb. 7th, 2015 I observed a variety Kalmia on the crest of a ridge, recently burned off, in the George Washington National Forest. I think it may be sheep laurel (Kalmia angustiflora), which coloni... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of wild plum in Childress County, Texas March 16, 2015 I have a Wild Plum follow up question. My wife grew up around the Childress TX area. She remembers going around the creeks and gathering Wild Plums for her mother as a child. Would you have any ide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Indentification of yellow four-petaled plant in Sonoma County CA March 09, 2015 Yellow four-petaled plant - low to the ground. Along the coast of CA in Sonoma County (near Bodega Bay) Might be Frying Pan but I can't find a decent description or the botanical name to look it up... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identiication of a flower in Valentine's Day Bouquet March 05, 2015 I bought a Valentine's Day bouquet for my wife and one of the flowers just won't quit (with some TLC, the lillies lasted 10 days). May I send a photo of the flower in question? I'd love to grow i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of thorny bush February 26, 2015 We found a small thorny like bush in our hay field near the fence line yesterday. It has thorns and each thorn has new nodes along the thorn. it is a frosted like white at this time. It is early febru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| topic | question | |