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.

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

Saturday - September 03, 2011

From: Lépaud, France
Region: Other
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Request for seeds or cuttings for Malvaceae from French Botanical Garden
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

hello We create a botanical garden devoted to the Malvaceae, can you help us by sending us seeds or cuttings? friendly the director jean-marie Jolicard botanical garden beaulieu 23170 Lépaud France F.Absous curator of living plants

ANSWER:

We are very flattered that you thought of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (home of Mr. Smarty Plants) when you were doing research for your botanical garden. However, we only provide seeds of North American native plants to established seed banks such as the Millennium Seed Bank in London. We don't know what the Customs rules are about live cuttings, but we bet they don't like them.

But, most importantly, we deal only in plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow naturally. We do not sell seeds or cuttings, and only sell native plants of Central Texas at our two semi-annual Plant Sales.

We do invite you to visit our Native Plant Database for information on North American members of the family Malvacaceae. Also, we would be pleased if you visited our Ask Mr. Smarty Plants Question and Answer section.

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Pruning of native perennial blooming plants
March 22, 2008 - Hello - I am still a newbie at using Native Texas plants (but loving them!), and I need pruning assistance. When (and how much) do I prune: hot lips salvia, hummingbird bush (anisthcanthus wrightii...
view the full question and answer

What to do with 200 yucca seedlings in Sandusky, OH?
August 31, 2013 - I have over two hundred 3 month old yucca seedlings from my last yr. Yucca plants. I soaked the the seeds for 24 hrs. planted them in trays and now they are abt. 2 inch tall. My question is, should I ...
view the full question and answer

Native Plants for a Shaded Patio Container in Missouri
April 17, 2015 - What kind of native plants would grow well in a pot on a fully shaded patio? I live in Kansas City, Missouri. The patio faces north and doesn't get any direct sunlight, but it gets lots of indirect...
view the full question and answer

Wildflower field for sewage leach field from Olga Washington
August 01, 2012 - I am interested in planting a large native wildflower field at a resort in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. It would be over a sewage leach field for many cabins and bathrooms. Are there any ...
view the full question and answer

Landscaping in Avalon TX
January 23, 2013 - I just bought my first and last home in Avalon Texas. I am looking forward to starting my garden. I am interested in all year around flowers. however I am in the country, when it rains, my yard becom...
view the full question and answer

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