Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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
2 ratings

Monday - November 26, 2012

From: Hillsboro, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Source for Dichondra from Hillsboro TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I get dichondra and info about it?

ANSWER:

There are 4 species of the genus Dichondra native to North America; in addition, all 4 are native to Texas: Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot), Dichondra brachypoda (New mexico ponysfoot), Dichondra carolinensis (Carolina ponysfoot) and Dichondra recurvata (Oakwoods ponysfoot). Of these, silver ponyfoot is our personal favorite, and it is sold at the semi-annual Plant Sales at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Follow this plant link Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) to get more information from our webpage on the plant. At the bottom of that page is a link to Google on the plant where you can find still more information. It is a low-growing, silver-tinted, evergreen plant that does best in sun (6 hours or more of sunlight a day) or part shade (2 to 6 hours a day). The leaves really are a silvery green ("argentea") and extremely attractive.

You will probably not find these plants for sale in large nurseries and home improvement garden departments, so you need to locate a source (if you cannot wait until April for the next Plant Sale). Go to our National Suppliers Directory, put your town and state or just your zip code in the "Enter Search Location" box, and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and consultants in your general area. Each has contact information so you can call or e-mail and get directions to their locations and find out if they have the plant you want in stock, or will.

 

From the Image Gallery


Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Carolina ponyfoot
Dichondra carolinensis

Oakwoods ponysfoot
Dichondra recurvata

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Source for Bumelia lanuginosa in Austin
February 24, 2005 - PLEASE HELP! I'm trying to plant several trees called Bumelia lanuginosa (synonym: Sideroxylon langinosum). The common names include but are not limited to: Ironwood, Chittamwood, Gum Elastic, Wooly...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants for Mission, TX
August 11, 2005 - Last week I visited my uncle who is head of a church in Mission, TX. The church owns an empty 2 to 3 acre lot, where they hope to build a school someday. However, that day is at least 10 to 15 years...
view the full question and answer

Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars
January 16, 2012 - Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us...
view the full question and answer

Source of seeds for non-native Artemisia pontica
May 26, 2006 - Hi, I've tried unsuccessfully to find seed for "roman wormwood" "Artemisia Pontica" Do you carry this or do you know a source in the US to get the seed? Much Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Source for purchase of native Salvia texana
February 23, 2007 - Good morning, Do you or do you know someone who carries Salvia texana? It has been impossible for me to obtain this beautiful Native Texan. Please respond at your earliest convenience with infor...
view the full question and answer

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