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.

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

Sunday - July 12, 2009

From: Whitehouse, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for blue phlox in Whitehouse TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I purchase blue phlox ground cover? I live ten minutes from Tyler,Tx

ANSWER:

The only phlox native to East Texas that is a size to qualify as a ground cover is Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox). It grows 8 to 18" tall, is evergreen and blooms red, pink and purple March to May. Go to our Suppliers section, put your town and state in the "Enter Search Location" and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and landscape and environmental consultants in your general area. All have contact information so you can find out where the plant you want is available without making a trip.