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

Monday - June 18, 2012

From: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plant ID at Wildflower Center from Waco TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I was at the Center last weekend and no one was able to answer these two questions: 1. Where can I buy Silver Ponyfoot groundcover? 2. What is the name of the plant with coral blossoms in front of the Pine Muhly in the Native Texas bed just inside the Display Gardens on the left next to the limestone wall? I took a picture of the plant/location as the lady in the Visitors Center suggested, but I don't know how to send it to you.

ANSWER:

The picture was a good idea but it doesn't help us. We are no longer set up to receive pictures as identification was taking up far too much time. However, Staff Super Gardener Julie Marcus says this is Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca).

The Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) was probably raised in our own Gardens for display, propagated in our Plant Nursery, as are most of the plants on display in the Center. Both plants are usually for sale in our semi-annual Plant Sales. Here is information on the next one, the Fall Plant Sale.

To find suppliers in your area, go to our National Supplier's Directory, type in your town and state or zip code in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and consultants in your general area. They all have contact information so you can determine if what you want is available before you start driving.

 

From the Image Gallery


Red yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora

Red yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora

Red yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN
August 23, 2012 - We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ...
view the full question and answer

Perennials for mountain cabin in Southern California
July 26, 2010 - We have a mountain cabin at 7,000ft elevation in S. California. Please recommend native perennials. Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Plants for shaded area in East Texas
July 23, 2013 - I live in East Texas and have an area that is shaded most of the day - it only gets sun in the middle of the day but it is direct. What would be best? I would prefer something that won't freeze, bu...
view the full question and answer

Transplant shock in Dakota mock vervain
July 23, 2007 - We just planted some Verbena bipinnatifida in our back yard and when we planted it, it had purple flowers on it but now they've all dried up. We live in central Colorado and thought this plant was fa...
view the full question and answer

Dividing blackeyed susans in Lake Ronkoko NY
July 06, 2009 - How are you supposed to divide blackeyed susan's? And when is the best time to do this?
view the full question and answer

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