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.
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.
rate this answer
Monday - April 04, 2005
From: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Possibility of survival of Genus Castilleja in Wisconsin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
In traveling through Texas last week we noticed many many little orange flowers which are absolutely fascinating. I found a picture of that flower in your website for Wildflower Days 2005 in the top right picture (I believe mixed in with Bluebonnets). Could you please identify that flower for us and advise if it could survive in Wisconsin.ANSWER:
The flower is the Texas paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) and it is not likely to survive in Wisconsin. However, there are two members of the Genus Castilleja that look very similar to the Texas paintbrush that are native to Wisconsin. These are: Scarlet Indian paintbrush (C. coccinea) and Downy paintbrush (C. sessiliflora).By searching in the National Suppliers Directory on the Wildflower Center web page you might be able to find nurseries or seed companies in Wisconsin or the Midwest that carry seeds or plants of these paintbrushes.
More Wildflowers Questions
Bleeding Heart-Like Plant Identification in PA
May 09, 2015 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. We have a plant that looks almost like the bleeding heart, as in the way the bell shaped (not heart) white flowers hang downward on the stem. However, the leaves are broader and...
view the full question and answer
Sowing additional wildflower and grass seeds on steep hillside
January 30, 2006 - Mr. Smarty,
we recently moved to Hot Springs, AR. We have about a 1000 sf hillside area too steep to plant with shrubs etc. We had wildflower seeds scattered last May in this area and the flowers we...
view the full question and answer
Flowers found blooming in February in Austin
November 17, 2010 - For people visiting from other states, which flowers usually bloom in February in Austin?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Rain-lily
April 12, 2005 - What is the common lily (I think) that grows in the ditches and especially this year because of all the rain.
The flower is trumpet shaped and has red stripes in the petals? Very common everywhere t...
view the full question and answer
Indoor Lantana Care from VA
December 28, 2010 - I have a Lantana plant. When I moved it inside, it was fine. Then I watered it too much. Is it possible to replant( to dryer dirt) in the winter time. Is has been in the 30's here, but inside 68. ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |