Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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
2 ratings

Monday - August 20, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center
Title: Where can one learn about gardening with native plants
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where can I go to learn more about gardening with native plants?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants thinks you are very lucky to live in Austin so that you can attend the classes at Go Native U at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Through a series of fun and interactive classes students learn about the benefits of gardening with native plants. Classes may be taken individually for those wanting to build on their current gardening skills or as a series for those pursuing a certificate of merit in native plant gardening. All classes will be held on Saturdays at the Wildflower Center’s beautiful campus in south Austin.

 

 

More Wildflower Center Questions

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 the full question and 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 the full question and answer

Native plants for my location
March 20, 2004 - Which native plants would you recommend for my location?
view the full question and 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 the full question and 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 the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.