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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Location of Elbow Bush and Gregg's Saddlebush at the Wildflower Center March 10, 2016 I have twice looked for Forestiera pubescens (Elbow Plant) and Mortonia greggi (Gregg's Saddlebush) in your gardens and have been unable to find. I have looked on the trails as well. Would you be a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Information about person who handles invasive species at the Wildflower Center October 01, 2015 Would you please provide me a name, phone, and email address, of the person in your office who handles invasive species? Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Souce for Glass Mulch in Austin September 02, 2015 Is there a special reason that broken glass is used in the courtyard flower beds? It's beautiful, wondering where to purchase some. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Color of crystal gems uses on bowling ball yard art August 06, 2014 I would like to know the color of crystal gems used on the bowling ball yard art View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Stick with tried and true plants for a green roof in New York May 12, 2013 If I use Virginia creepers in a ground covered application for a green roof, how much soil should I provide depth wise? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for silver ponyfoot from Temple TX March 19, 2013 Where can I purchase dichondra argentea -- I live in Bell Co. but am willing to come to Austin if need be. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wheelchair access to the Wildflower Center from Converse TX March 09, 2013 Hi. I hope you can help. I've written two emails to the Contact Dept but to no avail in receiving a response. I wanted to know if wheelchairs can access the flower fields and the trails? I get the fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower blooming in Austin in mid-March from Laceys Spring AL February 27, 2013 Hi I will be at and around the center the weekend of March 9 & 10 to exhibit in the Art and Artisan's Festival and plan to stay a few extra days to "wildflower" either before or after. What is you... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of pink flower photographed at the Wildflower Center January 08, 2013 Last August I took a photo at the Wildflower Center and now I'm trying to identify it. The flower has many pink petals that either stick straight out or downward and the center has pink frills edging... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is installing irrigation with Habiturf a good idea in Round Rock Texas? December 05, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, I am in the process of planning a new lawn in my front yard. We have decided to plant the Habiturf seed mix (thank you, by the way). Originally, we planned on installing a spri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas. December 04, 2011 I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hungry turtles trample pond in Houston Texas October 17, 2011 I have a very large back yard pond (actually, a former swimming pool) that's home to a bullfrog, four Red-eared slider turtles, and scads of gambusia (little mosquito eating fish). I'd like to add n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Crushed Limestone Used at the Wildflower Center July 01, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty plants, Do you know where I can find the pulverized limestone that you have at the entrance around the front of the building? It's right around where you have Clematis texensi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will Copper Canyon Daisy be at the Plant Sale from Georgetown TX March 21, 2011 Can you find out if Copper Canyon Daisy will be sold at the plant sale? I'm having trouble finding it in any of your databases. The scientific name is Asteraceae Tagetes lemmonii. It's a shrubby ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Signs at the Wildflower Center January 24, 2011 Hello. Where can we buy the black, metallic plant identification tags used at the Wildflower Center? Thanks in advance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why is Hamelia patens, a species listed as invasive, in the Wildflower Center database? September 29, 2010 Hamelia patens (Firebush) is listed as an invasive plant at Invasive.Org, the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, which partners with the US Forest Service, Univ of GA and others. LBJ ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowers at the Wildflower Center September 09, 2010 What common wildflowers are in the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Name of speaker at Wildflower Center on maintenance of oaks trees in Austin July 28, 2010 Sometime in the recent past my wife heard a speaker at the Wildflower Center talking about the pruning and maintenance of oak trees in Austin. We are now in need of tree maintenance services and are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Name five non-flowering species at the Wildflower Center. April 30, 2010 Can you tell me the names of five non-flowering plant species (true mosses, conifers, ferns) currently growing at your center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Color of Englemann's daisy (Engelmannia peristenia) April 11, 2010 I'm in Austin and just bought some Engelmann's Daisies at the plant sale on Fri. The picture had them with white petals, and your plant database has them with yellow petals. I specifically wanted wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When does Ziziphus obtusifolia leaf and flower in Austin? March 22, 2010 Hello Mr. S.P., Do you know when the Texas buckthorn, Ziziphus obtusifolia (I believe), flowers (and leafs out) in Austin? Is there one at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Update on Wildflower Center's Turffalo plot February 11, 2010 Hi, I was wondering if you can provide an update about the Turffalo grass installed at the Wildflower Center? The last update was June 26, 2009. We are investigating options for a lawn in South Aus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Does the Wildflower Center sell Endangered Plant Species? January 25, 2010 Do you guy's sell endangered plants in Austin? Such as the Basin Bellflower, or the Texabama Croton? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grass at Wildflower Center with purple glow October 31, 2009 What is the clumping grass along the WFC meadow trail that has a seedhead resembling bermudagrass and a glow similar to purple three-awn when backlit by the sun. I saw it yesterday (Oct. 2) and wonde... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Does the Wildflower Center plant sale include plants or only seeds? September 24, 2009 Does the list of plants for your Fall Plant Sale imply that they are availble to be transplanted or only as seed? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant growing in mid-September at Wildflower Center September 18, 2009 Would you please identify the pink/mauve composite flower growing in the members garden. A large grouping is growing in the bed between the center bed and the pathway up to the demonstration gardens. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowering native plants for Evanston IL July 12, 2009 What flowering, native plants would be suitable for a backyard garden in Evanston Illinois? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
The flower on the Plant Price page of Wildflower Center website June 04, 2009 What is the name of the flower that is on the Plant Price page of the Center's web site? I saw it for the first time this spring near Weatherford. It's red/orange & white and resembles a snapdrago... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What is the acreage of your gardens? May 20, 2009 The wildflower gardens and display areas comprise about how much, either percentage or acreage, of the entire 279 acres at the Wildflower Center? Does that also include areas for growing flowers for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What are those bushes with purple flowers around the Wildflower Center? March 09, 2009 Hello! We were just at the Wildflower Center earlier this week (March 1 or so, 2009), and there were several large bushes with purple flowers on them. The very helpful docent told me what they wer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Living lightly on the land November 21, 2008 Are most of the materials used in the Center recyclable materials? For instance, the wood floors and HVAC systems? Thanks, Joel Rodriguez View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Potting soil used in Wildflower Center nursery October 23, 2008 I recently purchased several beautiful little plants at your Fall plant sale and notice how very happy and healthy they all are! Please tell me if you mix your own potting soil and what your potting ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Purchase of herbs from Wildflower Center October 18, 2008 Can I purchase herbs from the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Official definition of native plants March 06, 2008 Does the Wildflower center have an official definition of "native" plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Maintenance policy for Ask Mr. Smarty Plants February 04, 2008 Greetings, I am a volunteer at the University of Washington’s Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural library. I am currently developing a maintenance policy for our database of gardening questions and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Where can one learn about gardening with native plants August 20, 2007 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where can I go to learn more about gardening with native plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Online list of plants in Wildflower Center gardens May 15, 2007 Hi I was able to see some of the wonderful gardens on tour today (gardens on tour)..they were out of the list with plants listed but told me I could find it online...I can not find it..could you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to search the Wildflower Center website March 28, 2007 How the heck do I find a list of local native low-growing plants that are shade tolerant on this web site? The search functions don't seem to be specific enough. I searched specifying Texas, subshr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Purchase access to plants at Wildflower Center February 08, 2007 I am interested in purchasing some of your plants. How can I do that? Do you send plants thru the mail or is their a nursery near you that has access to your plants that does? I am interested in Sa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for pots for wedding in November October 03, 2006 Will any of the plants that are in your big plant sale be flowering in November? I am looking for plants that would do well in pots because I'd like to use them as center pieces at a wedding (in Aus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers to see at Wildflower Center in September September 12, 2006 My wife and I will be coming to Austin for the Quilt Show September 29, 2006. Will the wild flowers and gardens still be active? We would very much like to visit if there would still be plenty to se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possible identification of plant purchased at Wildflower Center June 17, 2006 Hi - I'm looking for the name of a plant I bought at the Wildflower Center. It's currently in a gallon container and about 8 inches high. The leaves are green (on the yellow end of the spectrum), ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Epiphyte growing on oak trees in Wildflower Center June 16, 2006 Thank you for your response to my question on what is the epiphyte growing on oak trees. I should have been more specific to say " the epiphyte growing on the oak trees around Lady Bird Johnson wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Medicinal plants at the Wildflower Center April 19, 2006 What kinds of medicinal plants do you have at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ball moss (Tallandsia recurvata), epiphyte on oaks at Wildflower Center April 06, 2006 I visited your center a couple weeks ago, was very impressed with the educational aspects. I noticed the epiphyte commonly growing in the oak trees, and also on the elm oak. Do you have the name of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Information on green roof demonstration site at Wildflower Center March 10, 2006 I visited your green roof demonstration site and am interested in putting a green roof on a structure. There seemed to be at least two layers of growing medium in the planters; one layer looked like r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
True date for Earth Day March 09, 2006 My grandson asked me to verify the correct date for Earth Day 2006. Sites on the internet say (a) Earth Day USA is April 22, 2006. (b) International Earth Day is M... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Design and installation of trails at Wildflower Center July 24, 2005 I am a Park Commissioner in a city near Austin and am researching a firm to help design a trail system in our park. Would you please tell me who designed and installed the trails at the Wildflower Ce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants available for viewing in Wildflower Center in October May 19, 2005 We are thinking of bringing a group to visit the Wildflower Center during the weekend of my son's wedding in Austin in early October. Will there be much to see at the garden at that time of year? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sale of plants at the Wildflower Center March 20, 2004 Does the Wildflower Center sell plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ways to learn more about native plants of region March 20, 2004 How can I learn more about the native plants of my region? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for my location March 20, 2004 Which native plants would you recommend for my location? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Get started in native plant landscaping March 15, 2004 How do I get started in native plant landscaping? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why use native plants March 14, 2004 Why use native plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plant landscaping March 14, 2004 How does native plant landscaping differ from xeriscaping? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plant education February 18, 2003 Do you provide resources about native plants to middle school educators? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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