Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Monday - March 04, 2013

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Water Gardens, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Tropical Texas landscape from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Do you know of any public (or at least photographed) place in Texas that has been landscaped entirely with native "tropical-looking" (i.e. evergreen but NOT conifer and NOT succulent/arid) species? This would include species like Live Oak, Magnolia, Red Bay, Cherry-Laurel/Plum, Holly, Wax Myrtle, Palmetto, River Cane, Leatherwood, Honeysuckle, Jessamine, Greenbriar, etc. I'd love to see how "tropical" a Texas landscape could look..and still be 100% native at the same time. If I had all the time and money in the world, I would try it myself. But I'm sure someone else has tried it already.

ANSWER:

As it happens, Mr. Smarty Plants has answered similar questions before:

1. Tropical-looking landscape in Austin TX

2. Tropical plants for pool in Plano TX

3. Images of tropical Texas landscapes

Now, we can't testify that all our references include only Texas natives, but this is about the best we can do for you. We certainly don't have all the time and money in the world, either; in fact, most of the Smarty Plants Team is volunteers, and the Wildflower Center is a non-profit. We think we had better just stick to recommending plants native not only to North America but to the space in which they grow natively.

 

 

More Water Gardens Questions

Plants for NY wetland yard
April 30, 2011 - We have standing water in our yard for the entire spring and sometimes summer if it's a rainy one. We dug a ditch and found that our yard has a natural spring, which explains a lot. I need to know ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native bi-color iris from Spring Branch TX
August 18, 2011 - Bi colored iris. I have four plants planted around our water feature last fall. Up until recently they all looked very healthy, yet not blooming. Several weeks ago I noticed that two of the plants ...
view the full question and answer

Is the Obedient Plant a bog plant?
August 16, 2008 - I purchased 2 obedient plants at a farmer's market in Michigan. As I was unfamiliar with this plant, the merchant told me it did well in full sun. It was just what I needed. When I got home I look...
view the full question and answer

Source for Saltmarsh cordgrass from Houston
April 16, 2013 - I work for a consulting firm and we are looking to do more of our wetland creation/restoration. Do you know where one can purchased Spartina alterniflora?
view the full question and answer

Tree with stilt roots for Louisiana bog garden
February 07, 2013 - Does Louisiana have any native trees with stilt roots? I would like one to go with my cypress and tupelo bog garden. I have several native plants such as spider lilies and blue flag irises, but I'm...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.