Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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

Saturday - November 03, 2007

From: Sunrise, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Resources for designing a landscape in Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a large backyard that was devastated by Hurricane Wilma 2 years ago. I am tired of looking at bare grass. Is there a good lanscaping resource that I can design a rather large landscape. I really do not have the resources to pay a landscape arcitect and still have money to actually construct the garden.

ANSWER:

Fortunately, there are lots of resources to help you:

1. You can visit our Recommended Species page to find a list of "commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Florida". You can then customize your search for plants by using the "Narrow Your Search" option.

2. Additionally, the Florida Native Plant Society under the menu option "Landscaping" has a feature called "Plants for Your Area" where you can select your county (which Mr. Smarty Plants believes is Broward County) and find a list of native plants suitable for landscaping there. They also have an excellent page called "Getting Started with Natives" that gives helpful advice, a list of books, and links to other sites (e.g., Florida Landscape, Association of Florida Native Nurseries and "Designing the Natural Garden").

3. In addition to the Association of Florida Native Nurseries list, you can see our list of nurseries specializing in native plants in your area on our National Suppliers Directory.

4. You should also check the online publications of the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Service and check out the page for the local office of UF/IFAS nearest you.

Good luck with your project!

 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas
August 10, 2014 - Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer...
view the full question and answer

Seed sources for Mexican Gama Grass
August 28, 2006 - I'm trying to find a seed source for Mexican Gama Grass (scientific name is Tripsacum lanceolatum). Can you help me? Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Best sod for a yard in Elgin, TX?
November 05, 2009 - First time home buyer and the back yard will need to be sodded. What is an honest price range for this service for 213 sq.yds.? The site is in blackland prairie soil. What type grass is best suited ...
view the full question and answer

Source for seeds of non-native poinsettias from British Columbia
March 19, 2010 - Hello, I would like to grow my own Christmas poinsettias from seed. Do you know where I may be able to purchase seeds?
view the full question and answer

Grasses for a prairie in southeast Texas
September 30, 2013 - We have a small place (about 100 acres) in Colorado County, Texas, on the Colorado River north of the town of Weimar. We are gradually clearing (bulldozing) the woods of cedars. One particular spot ...
view the full question and answer

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