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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Monday - March 09, 2009

From: Olympia, WA
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center
Title: What are those bushes with purple flowers around the Wildflower Center?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Hello! We were just at the Wildflower Center earlier this week (March 1 or so, 2009), and there were several large bushes with purple flowers on them. The very helpful docent told me what they were, but I've forgotten. Can you remind me, please? Thank you!

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants thinks that the plant you are talking about is our Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) with its showy purple flowers that have a fragrance reminisent of grape Kool-aid.

Hope you had a good visit!