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.

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?

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

Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - April 13, 2016

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Propagation, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Sophora seeds to give away
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

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 there). Then come to find out this is fairly rare :). I was wondering if there were people interested in getting seeds from the tree in hopes of growing more? I'd be willing to donate any to people wanting to grow this type.

ANSWER:

One group of people that I am aware of that regularly exchange plants and seeds are members of local chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT). I suggest that you contact the San Antonio Chapter, and see what kind of interest you might stimulate.

From the Image Gallery

Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora