Native Plants
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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.
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Saturday - October 04, 2008
From: Elkton, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for purchase of non-native Tradescantia zebrina
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Is there a nursery near me that carries Wandering Jew plants?ANSWER:
Tradescantia zebrina, Wandering Jew, is native to Mexico, and therefore out of our range of experience. The Lady Bird Wildflower Center is focused on the use, propagation and protection of plants native to North America. We do have lists of nurseries in your area, go to Native Plant Suppliers, type in your town and state in the "Enter Search Location" box. This will give you a list of names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, etc. of plant nurseries, seed companies and landscape consultants specializing in native plants. It's unlikely, however, that they would carry this plant, since it is non-native. However, the large commercial nurseries seem to carry far more non-natives than native plants, so you will probably be able to find one near you. The easiest thing is to beg a piece of the plant from someone else who already grows it. It roots very quickly from cuttings, and is also very invasive if it is in the ground. Once it gets going in a flower bed, it is almost impossible to get rid of, so be warned!More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Sources for information on federally protected plants
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Plants for a new duck pond that are duck proof
January 28, 2009 - Sir. I live in Charleston SC. I dug a pond for ducks in my backyard. I want to plant grass and anything else that will grow around the pond that the ducks won't want to eat up. What should I buy to p...
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Source for Carex blanda in Washington DC
September 03, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
After reading your recommendations, Carex blanda seems to be a suitable evergreen native plant for a small pond island planter I am making for our small backyard turtle pond....
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Sources of native grasses and forbs seeds for Hidalgo and Maverick Cos.
October 31, 2003 - I work for TPWD and am working with some irrigation districts in South Texas, trying to get them to plant native grasses and forbs in their ROWs rather than exotic grasses recommended by TxDOT. Can y...
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Replacing grass with xeric plants in Nevada
March 20, 2009 - I am looking to xeriscape my front yard - remove all grass! I am thinking 3-4 larger plants: bird of paradise (mesquite??), aloe, and ..?? Also, possibly a Chilean mesquite.
Do you have suggestio...
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