Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

DONATE TODAY

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
1 rating

Wednesday - May 10, 2006

From: Buffalo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Culture and location of native Stachys coccinea
Answered by: Dean Garrett

QUESTION:

What are the soil, light, and water requirements for Texas betony (Stachys coccinea) and in what area(s) of Texas does it naturally occur?

ANSWER:

The soil, light, and water requirements for Texas betony are summarized on our Native Plant Information Network growing conditions page for the species. In Texas, it occurs wild only in the Trans-Pecos mountains of West Texas. It is native to rich, moist soil and canyons in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Desert regions of western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and adjacent Mexico. Native plant writers Sally and Andy Wasowski, in their book Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A., emphasize its need for moisture and write that it prefers "moist, decomposed granite, loam, limestone, high organic content, well drained" soil and light that ranges from shade to sun.
 

More Wildflowers Questions

Caring for a wildflower meadow in Austin, TX.
March 22, 2016 - We have a meadow full of wildflowers in the country, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, etc. What can we do to promote continued growth and is there a certain time of year we should mow? Should we fe...
view the full question and answer

Bluebonnet trip planning from Searcy AR
February 10, 2013 - We are planning a Spring Bluebonnet trip to east, central and south Texas. Is there an average timetable for Blubonnet blooming in the areas of San Antonio, Hill Country, Austin and east, and Northea...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants on Wildflower Meadow Gardening
September 16, 2005 - Good morning! I want to overseed a buffalo lawn that has been down for about a year with a wildflower mix, how would you recommend that we prepare the site.
view the full question and answer

Planting fields with wildflowers
November 05, 2009 - I'm hoping to seed a few fields (large area, short grass) the easiest way possible. I'd love to do bluebonnets but I don't think I can get a large aerator to the locations. Basically I'm wonderi...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a Septic Field in NC
August 14, 2013 - What kinds of low water plants can I plant over a new septic field in North Carolina? The area is part sun so I am concerned about having trouble getting grass started.
view the full question and answer

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