Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - January 24, 2006
From: El Paso, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Resources for native plants and landscaping in El Paso, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in El Paso, Texas, and want to know more about flowers and other native plants and landscaping in this specific geographical area. I would like information on particular plants that are suitable to El Paso as well as sources of information in order to learn more on the subject in our area....literature, organization, individuals.ANSWER:
The Native Plant Society in your area is a very good resource. The chapter nearest to you for the Native Plant Society of Texas is the Big Bend Chapter. However, the Native Plant Society of New Mexico has an El Paso Chapter. Their Bookstore has a wide selection of books dealing with identification of and landscaping with native plants. I've provided a link to Amazon.com for some suggested titles so that you can get a little more information about them. For some of them, you will be able to see a portion of the contents of the book on Amazon.1. WILDFLOWER IDENTIFICATION BOOKS:
a. Flowering Plants of New Mexico by Robert D. Ivey, 2003, R. D. & V. Ivey Publishers.
b. Wildflowers of the Desert Southwest by Meg Quinn, 2000, Rio Nuevo Publishers.
c. Field Guide to Southwestern and Texas Plants by Theodore F. Niehaus, et al., 1998, Houghton Mifflin.
d. Common Southwestern Native Plants by Jack L. Carter et al., 2003, Mimbres Press.
e. Wildflowers of Texas by Geyata Ajilvsgi, 2002, Shearer Publishing. This book is also available from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wild Ideas store.
NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING BOOKS:
a. Central New Mexico Gardens: a Native Plants Selection Guide by Carolyn Dodson and Peggy Wells, 2005, Native Plant Society of New Mexico.
b. Best Plants for New Mexico by Baker H. Morrow, 1995, University of New Mexico Press.
c. Native Landscaping from El Paso to L. A. by Sally and Andy Wasowski, 2000, McGraw-Hill.
d. How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest by Jill Nokes, 2001, University of Texas Press. This book is also available from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wild Ideas store.
e. Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest by George O. Miller, 1991, Voyageur Press. Again, this book is also available from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wild Ideas store.
You can find names and contact information for nurseries and seed companies in your area that specialize in native plants by visiting National Suppliers Directory and searching by state or region.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Where can I find a pignut hickory tree to plant in Scenery Hill, PA?
August 30, 2010 - Where can I buy Pignut Hickory tree, 10', B&B?
view the full question and answer
Where can I find Opuntia santa-rita?
February 09, 2009 - Dear Mr. Plants - I'm trying to locate a type of opuntia violacea-santa rita. (Purple prickly pear) Instead of the normal pads, this cactus has rippled pads that almost look like a type of coral. It...
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
Search for Texas barberry (Mahonia swaseyi) for sale
September 30, 2007 - Do you know where I can purchase a Texas Barberry (Berberis swaseyi, Texas Mahonia) plant? I live in the Texas hill country.
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Source of black cherries for Tennessee
August 12, 2008 - I need to know where black cherries grow in TN. I need a source of black cherries in TN. Do they grow easily and can the trees be bought?
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
