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

Thursday - January 21, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a candidate for use in our area, any ideas on where to obtain a plant for trial in our own NW Austin garden?ANSWER:
At this point, no research is being done by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Atriplex confertifolia (shadscale saltbush). It is, however, presently being grown in our Gardens at the Center, so it is native to Central Texas, since that's what we grow in our Gardens. We can refer you to some research that has been done by others. Follow the above link to the page in our database on this plant and find out what we already know about it. About 2/3 down that page is a section FIND SEEDS OR PLANTS which gives you links to suppliers for that plant. You can also go to our National Suppliers Directory, put your town and state in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries and seed suppliers in your general area. They all have contact information and can let you know if they stock the plant or if they can order it for you.
Here is more information from other sources you can check into:
CalPhotos Berkeley Photos of Atriplex confertifolia
Utah State University Extension Shadscale
USDA Forest Service Chenopodiaceae-Shadscale
gardenguides.com Shadscale Saltbush
American Journal of Botany Geographical Differentiation in Atriplex confertolia
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Wildflowers for an Indiana septic drain field
August 29, 2015 - We just had to have a septic system replaced due to our state highway consuming some of our front yard along with our original septic. Since this has happened, our lateral lines now lie in our back ya...
view the full question and answer
Why Did Gaillardia and Aquilegia Changed Color?
June 26, 2013 - Both a Gaillardia pulchella and two red columbines bloomed normally last summer, but this summer the Gaillardia's petals are all yellow and one columbine is white and the other is yellow. What caused...
view the full question and answer
What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like?
December 01, 2014 - What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? Do you have a picture?
view the full question and answer
Grasses for horses in Austin
October 27, 2012 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants
We just bought 4.5 acres in Travis County off HWY 290. We have 3 horses we keep on it but there is very little grass in the pastures. What is the best type of grass to seed ...
view the full question and answer
Are Eve's Necklace seeds poisonous to dogs from Plano TX
May 09, 2013 - Are the seed pods on eve's necklace poisionous to dogs?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |