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 - January 05, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists
Title: Plant fans for choosing native plants for the Central Texas region
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Has anyone created a plant "fan" that identifies and gives pertinent information on plants for the Central Texas region? The sample that I've found on fourpebblepress.com seems to cover the Rocky Mountain area for the most part. It would be so handy to have one to carry around while deciding on plants for our soil/heat/water issues here in Austin and in the Hill Country region.

ANSWER:

This Flower Fan looks like a very handy device; however, so far as Mr. Smarty Plants has been able to tell, such an aid doesn't exist for Central Texas. There are, however, recommended lists of native plants for the Hill Country. You can find one such list, Central Texas Recommended, on the Wildflower Center web page. You can narrow down this list by characteristics or growing conditions of the plants. The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) also has a list of Native Plants for Landscaping in the Texas Hill Country with their bloom periods, descriptions and cultural requirements.

 

More Plant Lists Questions

Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence
March 15, 2012 - I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever...
view the full question and answer

Are wildflowers in Missouri patented?
September 20, 2013 - Are wildflowers in Missouri patented? If so where would I find a list of them?
view the full question and answer

Phytoremediation Plant List for St. Louis MO
April 19, 2012 - My goal is to transform urban blight plots (some up to 1/4 acre) into viable community gardens having healthy, living soil as their foundation. To this end I am researching phytoremediation (thanks...
view the full question and answer

Plants for mountainous regions
April 04, 2007 - I am writing a novel which is set in a mountainous un-named region. Are there any plants,trees & shrubs that are common sights in a number of regions. I don't want anyone to be able to specifically ...
view the full question and answer

Hardy perennials for Chicago
June 15, 2007 - I have a duplex condo in Chicago. My basement or 1st floor is at sub-sidewalk level. This "patio" faces east and gets about 4 hours sun a day. It is about 8 feet high and covers an area 15x9. I'd l...
view the full question and answer

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