Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - January 05, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists
Title: Plant fans for choosing native plants for the Central Texas region
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Has anyone created a plant "fan" that identifies and gives pertinent information on plants for the Central Texas region? The sample that I've found on fourpebblepress.com seems to cover the Rocky Mountain area for the most part. It would be so handy to have one to carry around while deciding on plants for our soil/heat/water issues here in Austin and in the Hill Country region.

ANSWER:

This Flower Fan looks like a very handy device; however, so far as Mr. Smarty Plants has been able to tell, such an aid doesn't exist for Central Texas. There are, however, recommended lists of native plants for the Hill Country. You can find one such list, Central Texas Recommended, on the Wildflower Center web page. You can narrow down this list by characteristics or growing conditions of the plants. The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) also has a list of Native Plants for Landscaping in the Texas Hill Country with their bloom periods, descriptions and cultural requirements.

 

More Plant Lists Questions

Small native trees/shrubs for Corpus Christi, TX
July 02, 2012 - Which small native trees or tall shrubs would do well in full sun in Corpus Christi for privacy along a fence line? Blooms are a bonus and evergreen is preferred.Searches on the website aren't produc...
view the full question and answer

Winter plant for area with poor drainage.
December 07, 2007 - I have a 2 ft by 15 ft bed between the concrete patio and the pool that gets run off from the porch roof. I can't gutter the roof, so the bed can get very wet and stay that way for some time. It face...
view the full question and answer

Septic Field Recommendations for SW Austin
February 09, 2015 - What would be good native plants to vegetate septic drip fields in both sun and shade in Southwest Austin. The regulations want plants that are evergreen and shallow rooted.
view the full question and answer

Butterfly and Hummingbird Attracting Plants for CT
April 15, 2015 - Could you please give me a list of flowers that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds? I live in Darien, Connecticut and would love to make a butterfly garden.
view the full question and answer

Short, Shady Plants for South Carolina
February 24, 2015 - I have a shady part of my mother's garden that doesn't drain very well. Do you have any suggestions as to what type of flowers or plants (preferably native to S.C.) that aren't red that might grow ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.