Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Friday - January 28, 2011

From: Amarillo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Sources for non-native seeds from Amarillo TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hello It is possible to get this kind of seeds from you?.. Thanks! : Hiptage Benghalensis (Hiptage, Helicopter Flower) Crescentia Cujete (Calabash Tree, Krabasi, Kalebas, Huingo) Macaranga Grandifolia (Macaranga, Nasturtium Tree, Parasol Leaf Tree, Bingabing) Senna Alata (Empress Candle Plant, Candle Bush, Carrion Crow Bush, Candlesticks) Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Serenoa Repens (Saw Palmetto) Oxyceros Horridus (Randia Siamnsis/ Fragant Randia) Camellia Sinensis (Tea plant) Aristolochia Tagala (Indian Birthwort, Oval leaf Dutchman's Pipe) Melia Azedarach (Chinaberry Tree, Indian Lilac, Pride of India, White Cedar) Putranjiva Roxburghii (Child Life Tree) Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold, Scotch Marigold) Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Stevia Rebaudiana (Stevia, Sweet leaf of Paraguay, Sweet-herb, Honey Yerba, Honeylea, Candy leaf) Ephedra Sinensis (Ephedra, Sea Grape) Datura Metel (Purple Horn-of-Plenty, Jimpson Weed, Devils Weed) Peltophorum Dubium (Golden Flamboyante, Yellow Flame Tree, Yellow Poinciana, Copper Pod Tree, Copperpod) Aristolochia Littoralis (Elegant Dutchmans Pipe, Calico Flower) Newbouldia Laevis (Akoko Tree, Newboldia) Bolusanthgus Speciosus (Tree Wisteria, Vanwykshout, Mogaba) Goji Berry (Chinese Wolfberry) Synsepalum Dulcificum (Miracle Fruit)

ANSWER:

Sorry, we sell no seeds at all, except for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Mix in the Wild Things Store. At a quick glance, we would say all of your seeds are non-native to North America, and probably would not thrive in Amarillo under any circumstances. While we have a National Suppliers Directory, they all handle mostly natives to the area in which they are. We only sell plants twice a year in our Spring and Fall Plant Sales, and those are all Central Texas natives. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants will be grown.

If you are interested in gardening in Amarillo, we would suggest you go to our Recommended Species, click on the Texas High Plains section on the map, and you can search our database for plants that would do well in your climate, soils and average rainfall.

 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Source for Carex senta plugs in Maryland
February 04, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have discovered that Carex senta would be a great plant to replace grass that is just not working. There are numerous articles supporting this, as well as my local coun...
view the full question and answer

Sources of Hypericum anagalloides (tinkekrs penny)
March 23, 2007 - I am currently in search of any place where I may be able to purchase some of the Tinker's Penny. Could you please assist with this in any way possible? Greatly appreciated.
view the full question and answer

Native plant nursery
July 07, 2005 - I want to grow wildflower starts for tough-to-grow plants for retail and commercial sale. And I prefer organic, but, jeez, one step at a time. Any guidance on the ins and outs of this business? D...
view the full question and answer

Seeds of Pinus engelmanii for the Netherlands
January 30, 2010 - I am living in the Netherlands Europe, I hope that you can help me. A friend of mine has a beautiful Pinus Engelmannii and I am looking for seeds of this pine. Have you any idea where i can buy them? ...
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

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.