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

Sunday - October 07, 2007

From: NEW PORT RICHEY , FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Cottage pink
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What is the flower cottage pink?

ANSWER:

Dianthus plumarius is the scientific name for the "cottage pink." Go to the link for more information and an excellent picture. While it is native to Eastern Europe and Asia, it is widely grown in the United States. It has naturalized in Great Britain where it is an old-fashioned favorite. The USDA Plant Profile for this plant does not show it as distributed in Florida. However, Dianthus plumarius is shown as growing in Mississippi and North Carolina, so it would appear feasible that it could grow in Florida.

Native Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

rate this answer

Sunday - October 07, 2007

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

More Plant Identification Questions