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
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - March 19, 2013

From: Temple, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Source for silver ponyfoot from Temple TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I purchase dichondra argentea -- I live in Bell Co. but am willing to come to Austin if need be. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot) is on the plant list for our Spring Plant Sale. It usually sells very well, because it is such an attractive ground cover. However, you should be able to purchase it without traveling to Austin, although we would love to have you and we think you would enjoy the trip (and find lots of other plants, too). According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, it is not native to either Bell or Travis County, but we know it can grow there.

If you want to at least try to avoid the trip, go to our National Suppliers Directory. Put your town and state or just your zipcode 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 find out if they have what you are looking for before you go. You may very well find that Travis County (where the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is) actually is the closest place, as Bell County is only separated from Travis County by Williamson County.

 

From the Image Gallery


Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

More Wildflower Center Questions

Information on green roof demonstration site at Wildflower Center
March 10, 2006 - I visited your green roof demonstration site and am interested in putting a green roof on a structure. There seemed to be at least two layers of growing medium in the planters; one layer looked like r...
view the full question and answer

Online list of plants in Wildflower Center gardens
May 15, 2007 - Hi I was able to see some of the wonderful gardens on tour today (gardens on tour)..they were out of the list with plants listed but told me I could find it online...I can not find it..could you ...
view the full question and answer

When does Ziziphus obtusifolia leaf and flower in Austin?
March 22, 2010 - Hello Mr. S.P., Do you know when the Texas buckthorn, Ziziphus obtusifolia (I believe), flowers (and leafs out) in Austin? Is there one at the Wildflower Center?
view the full question and answer

Is installing irrigation with Habiturf a good idea in Round Rock Texas?
December 05, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I am in the process of planning a new lawn in my front yard. We have decided to plant the Habiturf seed mix (thank you, by the way). Originally, we planned on installing a spri...
view the full question and answer

Possible identification of plant purchased at Wildflower Center
June 17, 2006 - Hi - I'm looking for the name of a plant I bought at the Wildflower Center. It's currently in a gallon container and about 8 inches high. The leaves are green (on the yellow end of the spectrum), ...
view the full question and answer

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