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.
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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.
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| Sophora seeds to give away April 13, 2016 When we moved to TX years ago we bought a mountain laurel so we could have the beautiful purple flowers and were disappointed when the flowers every year were white (with a few purple ones here and th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Finding a source of Straggler daisy October 14, 2015 I've decided on Straggler daisy but am having trouble finding it. It would be perfect for me. Do I have to wait until next Spring for it to show up? Can it be ordered through a nursery or a landscape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Searching for seeds or plants of Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata October 13, 2015 My daughter is researching different grasses that help stop coastal erosion. Where can we get seeds or plant plugs for salt grass and salt meadow cord grass? We live near New Orleans Louisiana. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia. October 12, 2015 Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas October 02, 2015 Do you know any source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas? I contacted Blade Runner Farms and they replied that their Habiturf project was discontinued. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for Eustoma exaltatum (Texas bluebells) October 01, 2015 Could you list sources for seeds for eustoma (texas bluebells)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| The Importance of Sourcing Local Genotypes September 09, 2015 I would like to respond to the answer I got to my Mr. Smarty Plants question about native cultivars vs. straight species. 1) So if I, like many gardeners, don't have access to native plants with a lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source of seeds or plants for 5 regions of Virginia August 22, 2015 I am a teacher and am planning a lesson about regional plants of Virginia. I would like to create a type of planter where we can plant seeds from each of the 5 regions in Virginia (Appalachian Platea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to find Horseherb seed August 02, 2015 I would like to purchase some Horseherb seeds. Can you tell me where I can do that? Either locally or on line. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to find nursery type containers in Austin TX July 10, 2015 Where in Austin TX can I purchase nursery type containers to transplant my seedling View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Pyrus ioensis var. Texana July 09, 2015 Any idea where I can find Pyrus (now Malus) ioensis var. texana for sale around the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| sources of milkweed in Bastrop, Texas April 22, 2015 Where can I buy milkweed in Bastrop County? Can I plant in containers in garden soil? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seed Library in Hill Country, Texas? April 21, 2015 Hello, I was wondering if there is a seed bank or library here in the Texas Hill Country? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana (copperleaf) April 06, 2015 Some species of Acalypha are natives, but the one I'm looking for is Copper Plant or Acalypha amentacea/wilkesiana. Can you give me a source where I can order seed? When I was kid working at a local ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rain garden plants at the April Plant Sale March 31, 2015 In answering the question about "rain garden" plants on March 20, 2010, you offered a list of plants. Which of these will be offered at the spring sale coming up on April 10-12? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Hickory in Texas March 25, 2015 I'm looking for a nursery in Texas that sells hickory trees. I've used your supplier links and gone through many, many websites of suppliers. However, the only nut tree anyone sells is pecan. I'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pinus taeda (Loblolly pines) for a property in Van Zandt County, Texas March 17, 2015 I want to initiate a stand of loblolly pine trees on our property in Van Zandt County in NE Texas. Assuming the ph factor is within range, how do I obtain seedings for this endeavor? Any other advic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for Sideroxylon celastrinum (Coma saffron plum) seeds or seedlings February 12, 2015 Hi. I'm trying to find a good commercial source for la coma (Bumelia celastrina) seedlings/seeds. Can you help? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Milkweed species for Central Texas February 11, 2015 What milkweed should I plant in the flood plain behind my house on Brushy Creek. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscape professional to maintain native plants December 20, 2014 Had native plants & buffalo grass professionaly planted earlier this year. Have had trouble finding maintenance services for our yard. Any suggestions on how to find a knowledgeable crew? Thanks... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for source of wildflower seeds in Southern California October 08, 2014 I'm looking for a source of wildflower seed--a mix of annuals and perennials--for my desert location of La Quinta, CA View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas August 10, 2014 Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC January 27, 2014 I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for ruellia from Houston January 19, 2014 I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| plant labels to indicate resistance to wildfire November 12, 2013 I have a group of students researching plants that are more fire resistant. They have learned that keeping home landscaping around a structure will help reduce the risk of a structure catching fire i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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