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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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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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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!

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Saturday - May 15, 2010

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Information about non-native Epimedium
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What type of barrenwort (Epimedium) will grow well in Central Texas?

ANSWER:

No Epimedium species are native to North America. They are native to China, Asia and Europe. Since our focus and expertise at the Wildflower Center is exclusively with plants native to North America, we can't really advise you on these plants.  I suggest you visit some of the gardening forum sites (e.g., Garden Web, The Garden Forums, UBC Botanical Gardens Forums) to make inquiries about them.

 
 

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