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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea