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.
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Source for Texas Star hibiscus from Grand Prairie TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
Oddly enough, Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet rose-mallow), also known as Texas Star is not native to Texas but to some nearby southern states. It is a member of the Mallow family and its foliage is sometimes mistaken by nosy neighbors as marijuana, so watch out! Since it is a native plant, your best source is going to be dealers in native plants. This member of the Mr. Smarty Plants Team lived in Arlington for 38 years, and here are 3 nurseries where we often found native plants:
King's Creek Gardens - Oak Hill
Redenta's Garden - Arlington
Weston Gardens in Bloom - Ft. Worth - link is to ad from Weston Gardens on Texas Star Hibiscus.
I have been gone from there for 13 years, but I think they are all still open. Call first.
Failing that, go to our National Suppliers Directory, type your town and state or zip code into the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and landscape consultants in your general area. All will have contact information and you can make inquiries before you shop around. Hope you find them, we always enjoyed ours.
Information about Berlandiera spp. from DeLand FL
May 26, 2011 - I am looking for information (something cool) about green eyes,
Berlandiera spp. Information such as any medical use or story associated with the plant. Thanks
view the full question and answer
Drought affecting native trees from The Woodlands
August 18, 2011 - I've been trying to grow native trees in my yard for the past 3 years and I'm starting to question whether the amount of time required to spend watering them during the long hot season in Texas is r...
view the full question and answer
Potential allelopathy of cultivar of Artemisia ludoviciana
March 09, 2009 - I recently submitted a question regarding allelopathic potential of artemisia ludoviciana on rusty blackhaw viburnum, not specifying that I meant Vibernum rufidulum. Mr. SP interpreted my viburnum as...
view the full question and answer
Source of Pectis angustifolia from Georgetown TX
December 26, 2012 - You answered an earlier question about Limoncillo (Pectis angustifolia) by saying you had found a source for these seeds in Santa Fe, but the hyperlink was inoperable. I'd like to try to propogate t...
view the full question and answer
Possible mildew on standing cypress
May 29, 2008 - My mother-in-law took some standing cypress seeds from Texas to Virginia several years ago. They have always done very well, but this year they are growing very tall, but the bottom half of the stalk...
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. |