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.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| topic | question | |
| Sophora seeds to give away April 13, 2016 When we moved to TX years ago we bought a mountain laurel so we could have the beautiful purple flowers and were disappointed when the flowers every year were white (with a few purple ones here and th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Finding a source of Straggler daisy October 14, 2015 I've decided on Straggler daisy but am having trouble finding it. It would be perfect for me. Do I have to wait until next Spring for it to show up? Can it be ordered through a nursery or a landscape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Searching for seeds or plants of Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata October 13, 2015 My daughter is researching different grasses that help stop coastal erosion. Where can we get seeds or plant plugs for salt grass and salt meadow cord grass? We live near New Orleans Louisiana. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia. October 12, 2015 Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas October 02, 2015 Do you know any source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas? I contacted Blade Runner Farms and they replied that their Habiturf project was discontinued. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for Eustoma exaltatum (Texas bluebells) October 01, 2015 Could you list sources for seeds for eustoma (texas bluebells)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| The Importance of Sourcing Local Genotypes September 09, 2015 I would like to respond to the answer I got to my Mr. Smarty Plants question about native cultivars vs. straight species. 1) So if I, like many gardeners, don't have access to native plants with a lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source of seeds or plants for 5 regions of Virginia August 22, 2015 I am a teacher and am planning a lesson about regional plants of Virginia. I would like to create a type of planter where we can plant seeds from each of the 5 regions in Virginia (Appalachian Platea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to find Horseherb seed August 02, 2015 I would like to purchase some Horseherb seeds. Can you tell me where I can do that? Either locally or on line. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to find nursery type containers in Austin TX July 10, 2015 Where in Austin TX can I purchase nursery type containers to transplant my seedling View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Pyrus ioensis var. Texana July 09, 2015 Any idea where I can find Pyrus (now Malus) ioensis var. texana for sale around the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| sources of milkweed in Bastrop, Texas April 22, 2015 Where can I buy milkweed in Bastrop County? Can I plant in containers in garden soil? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seed Library in Hill Country, Texas? April 21, 2015 Hello, I was wondering if there is a seed bank or library here in the Texas Hill Country? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana (copperleaf) April 06, 2015 Some species of Acalypha are natives, but the one I'm looking for is Copper Plant or Acalypha amentacea/wilkesiana. Can you give me a source where I can order seed? When I was kid working at a local ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rain garden plants at the April Plant Sale March 31, 2015 In answering the question about "rain garden" plants on March 20, 2010, you offered a list of plants. Which of these will be offered at the spring sale coming up on April 10-12? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Hickory in Texas March 25, 2015 I'm looking for a nursery in Texas that sells hickory trees. I've used your supplier links and gone through many, many websites of suppliers. However, the only nut tree anyone sells is pecan. I'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pinus taeda (Loblolly pines) for a property in Van Zandt County, Texas March 17, 2015 I want to initiate a stand of loblolly pine trees on our property in Van Zandt County in NE Texas. Assuming the ph factor is within range, how do I obtain seedings for this endeavor? Any other advic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for Sideroxylon celastrinum (Coma saffron plum) seeds or seedlings February 12, 2015 Hi. I'm trying to find a good commercial source for la coma (Bumelia celastrina) seedlings/seeds. Can you help? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Milkweed species for Central Texas February 11, 2015 What milkweed should I plant in the flood plain behind my house on Brushy Creek. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscape professional to maintain native plants December 20, 2014 Had native plants & buffalo grass professionaly planted earlier this year. Have had trouble finding maintenance services for our yard. Any suggestions on how to find a knowledgeable crew? Thanks... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for source of wildflower seeds in Southern California October 08, 2014 I'm looking for a source of wildflower seed--a mix of annuals and perennials--for my desert location of La Quinta, CA View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas August 10, 2014 Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC January 27, 2014 I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for ruellia from Houston January 19, 2014 I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| plant labels to indicate resistance to wildfire November 12, 2013 I have a group of students researching plants that are more fire resistant. They have learned that keeping home landscaping around a structure will help reduce the risk of a structure catching fire i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lingonberry 'Ida' Source for Commercial Production in the Pacific NW November 08, 2013 I am having difficulty locating a Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) cultivar named 'Ida'. Where can I purchase this plant for commercial production in the Pacific Northwest? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grasses for a prairie in southeast Texas September 30, 2013 We have a small place (about 100 acres) in Colorado County, Texas, on the Colorado River north of the town of Weimar. We are gradually clearing (bulldozing) the woods of cedars. One particular spot ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Starting shade-tolerant ground covers in New York September 10, 2013 Hi, I have seen some of the posts for shade-tolerant ground cover on the east end of Long Island and my question is process related. Now that I've identified the grasses/plants I need to keep my fro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Oregon boxwood from Salt Lake City, UT July 24, 2013 I am seeking plugs / cuttings for paxistima myrsinites (mountain lover) in a large quantity and cannot seem to source them. If you have any sources I could contact; I need 2225 of them please forward... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for two violas for Houston July 10, 2013 I live in Houston, TX. Can you tell me where I can buy viola rotundifolia and viola cucullata? I understand these are round-leaved yellow violet and marsh blue violet respectively. I stumbled on these... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for Frostweed plants or seeds from Portland TX June 23, 2013 I am looking for somewhere I can buy Frostweed plants or seeds. I live in Portland, TX, but frequent San Antonio and the Hill Country. Can you help me with this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for a soapberry in Pittsburgh PA June 22, 2013 Flower box Where can I buy a soapberry tree in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for chile pequin plants in Austin June 11, 2013 Where can I buy chile pequin plants in Austin? Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for non-native Crown of Thorns from Bulverde TX May 04, 2013 Can you please tell me where I can buy a Crown of Thorns plant in or near Bulverde, Tx. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for seeds of Mexican primrose from Dallas April 25, 2013 Can I purchase Mexican Evening Primrose seeds now for planting in the fall or do I need to wait for the fresh crop of seeds that will be gathered from this spring flowering. How can I be assured the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Souce for Houstonia caerulea in Massachusetts April 25, 2013 I am looking for bluet (Houstonia caerulea or H. serpyllifolia). I can't find them anywhere. The two sites listed under possible distributors under H. caerulea have not gotten back to me. I read that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Resources for a green roof project from Wayne PA April 14, 2013 Hello! I am researching a project to create a native wildflower/ turf mix for a green roof. I would ideally like to grow it as a sod mat, and then install it in rolls. I am currently working as an i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Questions about milkweed seeds March 28, 2013 Dear folks, I am trying to locate Nan Hampton from Los Fresnos, Texas who asked about Asclepias texana seeds and other Asclepias seeds on Dec. 10, 2008. I would like to know if she found any and has... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Milkweed Seedlings Source for Austin, Texas March 18, 2013 Where can I find seedlings or four inch pots of common milkweed? I have a backyard garden that is mostly filtered sunlight and space for them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fruit on Jasmines March 13, 2013 My jasmines have grown some small purple fruits and she is about to get her full bloom soon. Should I cut them off to help the plants out? What are they? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native lawn grass for Seabrook TX March 12, 2013 We want to seed our lawn in Seabrook, Tx.77586 with a Natural Grass replacing our St. Augustine Grass. I think there is one that is drought resistant (only water it twice a month.) and that does not g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for mulberry trees from Bryan TX February 24, 2013 I am looking for suggestions for nurseries from which I could purchase Red Mulberry or Texas Mulberry Tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for dotted blue-eyed grass from Saluda SC February 23, 2013 I lived in Texas for several years and now live on acreage in South Carolina. I have heard that bluebonnets don't grow well in South Carolina. However, there is a place by the road near our house t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Buying bluebonnet plants for project in Amarillo TX February 10, 2013 Is there anywhere I can buy some bluebonnet plants by March 1, 2013 for a school project? We are growing some, but they are just up. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deadwood for Degus February 01, 2013 I have a very specific and hopefully easy question. I just brought home some degus (small adorable rodents) and they have a severely restricted list of woods they can chew on safely. The safe trees th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio January 03, 2013 I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Lycopodium digitatum native to South Carolina? December 27, 2012 Is Lycopodium digitatum native to SC; do you know if it's available in SC nurseries? View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for oak shade from Whitney TX December 24, 2012 I live in Whitney, Texas and have a number of beautiful Live Oak trees in a portion of my yard providing deep shade. Asian Jasmine grows in about 5 ft circle around them and then nothing! I have walk ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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