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
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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Wednesday - December 09, 2009
From: Sydney Australia,
Region: Other
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Gift plant for a new arrival in Texas.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
To Whom it May Concern, I am writing to you from Sydney, Australia. My sister is moving to Texas and I wanted to give her a native plant as a present. Is there anyway I could arrange that with you, or even some seedlings. I could pay via credit card and give you their address or tell them to pick it up? Thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty is happy to welcome another plant lover to Texas and your idea about giving your sister a native plant is fine. However, the Wildflower Center only sells plants at our semiannual Spring and Fall sales on site, so we can't accommodate your request. Since you didn't mention where your sister was moving in Texas, finding an appropriate plant would be difficult.
An alternative suggestion for a gift is for you to shop at the Wildflower Center Store where you can find a wide variety of plant related gifts. They accept credit cards and they ship.
Another possibility is to go to our National Suppliers Directory. Type in the name of the city where your sister will live, and you will get a list of local business that sell native plants or seeds and provide professional landscape or consulting services. Explore the different businesses to find what plants they have available and recommend.
More Non-Natives Questions
Leaves browning on non-native willow from in Cumbla PA
July 10, 2011 - We recently planted a willow tree. A lot of the leaves turned yellow and some turned brown, but it is also getting some new buds. my question is, should I take the dead leaves off or leave them there...
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Is there a purple passion hibiscus?
May 27, 2009 - Hello! I bought a climbing vine in a hanging basket that looks like a passion flower vine to me. However, I was told that it was a "purple passion hibiscus." I cannot find such a flower on the inter...
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Questions about hollyhocks and yucca
May 25, 2016 - I have 2 questions. In Western N.Y. State the hollyhocks grow like weeds but add color with their large stalks. I've sent for seeds and the best I can do in N.W.Travis county is 9 inch plants that die...
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Identification of Sphaegneticola trilobata as non-native invasive plant
January 24, 2007 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have some wedelia growing but would like clarification on the type whether it is the texana or trilobata. Is the texana a bushy plant? Mine is more of the sprawling/tra...
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Nativity of various bulbs
October 15, 2014 - Are the following bulbs native?
Chionodoxa forbesii
Camassia leichflinii
Crocus Sprint tommasinianus Barr's Purple
Hyacinthoides hispanica
Narcissus 'Actea'
Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' ...
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