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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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Tuesday - March 19, 2013

From: Temple, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Source for silver ponyfoot from Temple TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I purchase dichondra argentea -- I live in Bell Co. but am willing to come to Austin if need be. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) is on the plant list for our Spring Plant Sale. It usually sells very well, because it is such an attractive ground cover. However, you should be able to purchase it without traveling to Austin, although we would love to have you and we think you would enjoy the trip (and find lots of other plants, too). According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, it is not native to either Bell or Travis County, but we know it can grow there.

If you want to at least try to avoid the trip, go to our National Suppliers Directory. Put your town and state or just your zipcode 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 find out if they have what you are looking for before you go. You may very well find that Travis County (where the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is) actually is the closest place, as Bell County is only separated from Travis County by Williamson County.

 

From the Image Gallery


Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

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