Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - June 18, 2012
From: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plant ID at Wildflower Center from Waco TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I was at the Center last weekend and no one was able to answer these two questions: 1. Where can I buy Silver Ponyfoot groundcover? 2. What is the name of the plant with coral blossoms in front of the Pine Muhly in the Native Texas bed just inside the Display Gardens on the left next to the limestone wall? I took a picture of the plant/location as the lady in the Visitors Center suggested, but I don't know how to send it to you.ANSWER:
The picture was a good idea but it doesn't help us. We are no longer set up to receive pictures as identification was taking up far too much time. However, Staff Super Gardener Julie Marcus says this is Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca).
The Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) was probably raised in our own Gardens for display, propagated in our Plant Nursery, as are most of the plants on display in the Center. Both plants are usually for sale in our semi-annual Plant Sales. Here is information on the next one, the Fall Plant Sale.
To find suppliers in your area, go to our National Supplier's Directory, type in your town and state or zip code in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and consultants in your general area. They all have contact information so you can determine if what you want is available before you start driving.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Seed pod of Proboscidea louisianica (Deveil's claw) in New Mexico
August 30, 2014 - I found the most amazing seed pods of the devil's claw right here in Albuquerque. I thought it was a wood skeleton of a pterodactyl (flying dinosaur, I believe), but heard it's a devil's claw. Ok...
view the full question and answer
Identification of Monotropa uniflora
August 09, 2007 - I found a peculiar flower in Nopoming Provincial Forest, Manitoba last weekend (August 4th). I found it growing in moss on top of rock (the Canadian shield). It was in shade.
About 3 or 4 were clum...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a Globe Mallow
March 14, 2008 - Mr. SP,
Two or three years ago I purchased a mallow at the Wildflower Center that (I was told) had not yet been identified. I have looked at your pictures of Sphaeralcea hastulata which has the same ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of shrub in South Carolina
December 12, 2011 - First, I'm in Iraq but trying to write a book and have a question on a plant that grows in South Carolina. All I can do is describe it. The bush is normally green but turns red, has large leaves, kin...
view the full question and answer
Help identify a plant.
February 21, 2008 - Could you help me to identify this plant?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |