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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Sunday - June 24, 2012
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Source for Texas Star hibiscus from Grand Prairie TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am having a lot of difficulty in trying to find and purchase a Texas Hibiscus. Any clues?ANSWER:
Oddly enough, Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet rose-mallow), also known as Texas Star is not native to Texas but to some nearby southern states. It is a member of the Mallow family and its foliage is sometimes mistaken by nosy neighbors as marijuana, so watch out! Since it is a native plant, your best source is going to be dealers in native plants. This member of the Mr. Smarty Plants Team lived in Arlington for 38 years, and here are 3 nurseries where we often found native plants:
King's Creek Gardens - Oak Hill
Redenta's Garden - Arlington
Weston Gardens in Bloom - Ft. Worth - link is to ad from Weston Gardens on Texas Star Hibiscus.
I have been gone from there for 13 years, but I think they are all still open. Call first.
Failing that, go to our National Suppliers Directory, type your town and state or zip code into the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and landscape consultants in your general area. All will have contact information and you can make inquiries before you shop around. Hope you find them, we always enjoyed ours.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Salvia, geum transplant shock symptoms
July 21, 2006 - I need some help. I transplanted 2 xeriscape plants and they are not doing
well. 1 is Pitcher Sage-sorry I don't know botanical name; the other is
White Avens. The've grown a lot but all the leave...
view the full question and answer
Indoor and Outdoor, Fast Growing Plants for California
October 22, 2015 - I’m looking for the best plants for me. I have small kids so they would have to be safe. I would like them to be able to grow inside or outside. I would love for them to grow fast and reproduce fast.
view the full question and answer
Monocarpic plants for Indiana
October 06, 2005 - We were in Hawaii this summer and became acquainted with the Silversword. This plant (according to what we were told) blooms only once in it's lifetime (of 50-70 years). Are you aware of any other pl...
view the full question and answer
Golden groundsel plants or seeds for Bulverde TX
October 02, 2011 - Where can I find golden groundsel, plants or seeds?
view the full question and answer
Vascular plants and mosses from Toledo OH
September 03, 2009 - Why do vascular plants grow taller and thicker than mosses?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |