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 - August 02, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Where to purchase a non-native gardenia
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I buy a gardenia plant in south austin?

ANSWER:

Sorry, this is out of our line. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the care and culture of plants native to North America. The gardenia is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australisia and Oceania. We have a list of Native Plant Suppliers that you could check for Austin, but they all carry a majority of plants native to North America and particularly to this area.
 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Sources of native seeds for California
November 03, 2006 - Hello. I am trying to locate native seed producers in California. We have 100 acres of land that we would like to plant native seeds on and possibly harvest. Can you refer me to any California nati...
view the full question and answer

Endangered plants of Maryland
March 06, 2009 - My high school would like to plant endangered plant species of Maryland in our wetlands, but we do not know where we can acquire these plants. Do you know of a place where we could buy endangered plan...
view the full question and answer

Finding woolly butterfly bush from Johnson City TX
July 28, 2011 - Where can I find woolly butterfly bush? They are difficult to locate in the nurseries
view the full question and answer

Recommendations for a slope in Margaretville, NY
April 21, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants, We really love all of your ideas on our 60 degree bank needing plants to keep the topsoil in place. The grasses you suggested are beautiful!!!! They will look incredible against the...
view the full question and answer

Source for Texas Hawthorne (Crateagus texana)
May 19, 2006 - Hello, I am in search of some Texas Hawthorne (Crateagus texana). Thanks,
view the full question and answer

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