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 - April 13, 2006
From: Worcester, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Commercial source of Malus x arnoldiana in Massachusetts
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Looking for a commercial source for Malus x arnoldiana, a Massachusetts native apple/crabapple. I work for a Massachusetts conservation land trust with an interest in wildlife habitat and mast and native plants. Only things I have found are arboretum holdings and plant lists from the 70's. I will work with an arboretum's propagation specialist if that is the only source available.ANSWER:
You can search in the National Suppliers Directory for nurseries in your area that specialize in native plants. Each nursery gives contact information—address, telephone, and for some, e-mail and website information. I did a quick preliminary search on those with websites and did not find a Malus species at all listed for sale. However, there were many other nurseries that only had telephone contact numbers (with no websites listed) that might offer the tree for sale. It is also possible that the New England Wildflower Society or one of the other chapters of the North American Native Plant Society in your area may have other sources for native plants that are not listed in our National Suppliers Directory.Arnold's crabapple is a lovely flowering shrub/tree; but, for right or wrong, it has a reputation as a weak grower with higher than average susceptibility to disease. This reputation is probably why few commercial growers offer it for sale. If you want to use this hybrid to fulfill an historical requirement, then the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is likely to be your best bet. They do offer a limited "Propagation and Distribution" service for some plants that are not commercially available. You might also find a good commercial grower in your area willing to grow them on a contract basis if good cutting material can be found.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Where can I find Opuntia santa-rita?
February 09, 2009 - Dear Mr. Plants - I'm trying to locate a type of opuntia violacea-santa rita. (Purple prickly pear) Instead of the normal pads, this cactus has rippled pads that almost look like a type of coral. It...
view the full question and answer
Source for trees from Burnet TX
August 19, 2012 - I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a source for native Texas plums
October 03, 2010 - Please provide a source for native Texas plums--I want to plant some in the Texas Hill Country.
view the full question and answer
Location of source for live white violets native to Virginia
March 20, 2006 - Dear Ms. Pants, I am in Austin & would like to buy a quantity of small live plants for decorative table top use in April, 2006. I need any variety of the wild woodlands-loving white violets that are n...
view the full question and answer
Rain garden plants at the April Plant Sale
March 31, 2015 - In answering the question about "rain garden" plants on March 20, 2010, you offered a list of plants. Which of these will be offered at the spring sale coming up on April 10-12? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |