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?

Share

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 - August 02, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Where to purchase a non-native gardenia
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I buy a gardenia plant in south austin?

ANSWER:

Sorry, this is out of our line. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the care and culture of plants native to North America. The gardenia is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australisia and Oceania. We have a list of Native Plant Suppliers that you could check for Austin, but they all carry a majority of plants native to North America and particularly to this area.
 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Growing non-native bay leaf plant from Elyria OH
May 04, 2010 - I was wondering if the bay leaf plant is native and how hard it is to grow? I am so tired of buying expensive bay leaf in the store and want to do it myself.
view the full question and answer

Availability of Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) for Central Texas
March 26, 2007 - I'd like to buy a flowering dogwood tree. Love the fall berries and spring flowers. I haven't had been able to find them at the nurseries I frequent (Great Outdoors, Natural Gardener, Breed, Barton ...
view the full question and answer

More on bluebonnets
March 02, 2005 - Where can I find seeds for maroon bluebonnets? I understand that Texas A&M has developed cultivars for this plant in as many as four colors. I haven't been able to find a source for them.
view the full question and answer

Can you recommend a supplier for Comptonia?
May 11, 2009 - Can you recommend a web supplier for the native plant Sweet Fern, Comptonia? Thanks
view the full question and answer

Source for Anacacho Orchid Seeds
November 22, 2010 - Is there any place in TX that I can ask to send me Anacacho Orchid seeds that I can germinate?
view the full question and answer

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