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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - September 20, 2014
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: When is best time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade in San Antonio, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I need to know the time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade. Can I plant them now ( August ), or wait till fall or spring?ANSWER:
The Texas Nightshade Solanum triquetrum (Texas nightshade) is Texas native in the family Solanaceae. From its profile page, we see that it is a perennial and can flower in each month of the year. So it would seem that there are seeds in the environment year round. The plant is similar to the Silverleaf Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium (Silverleaf nightshade). This link from Dave’s Garden suggests that the seeds should be planted in the Spring after the last frost. I think that I would follow this advice.
Here is a link to an informative article by Jim Conrod that appeared in the December 15, 2013, Newsletter from the Frio Canyon Nature Education Center. Note the reference to possible toxicity.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
When do wildflowers bloom in the Texas Hill Country
February 12, 2015 - Approximately when do the wild flowers bloom in Hill country?
I would love to see them.
I know it depends on winter weather conditions.
I have a short vacation mid March, was considering a trip th...
view the full question and answer
Native Backyard for Lakewood OH
December 24, 2013 - I would like to do away with the lawn in my backyard in favor of native plants that would require minimal maintenance, including flowering plants that would encourage pollinators.
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Bluebells
August 26, 2004 - Do you have Bluebells growing at the Wildflower center and if so how much longer will they be blooming ?
view the full question and answer
Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer
Thinning and culling wildflower seed mix plants
May 11, 2015 - Wildflower garden in central Oklahoma
I sowed a (mostly) native wildflower mixture in early November here in my Zone 7A Edmond, OK garden. To my surprise, many of the seeds (I'm guessing annuals)...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |