Native Plants
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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.
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Tuesday - March 10, 2009
From: SAN ANTONIO, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for non-native Bauhinia Blakeana
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A HONG KONG ORCHID TREE ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO IN SAN ANTONIO, TX,.BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A WHITE ORCHID TREE.I AM SEEKING A NURSERY IN THE AREA THAT MAY HAVE SOME IN STOCK.THE PURPLE ONES. BAUHINIA BLAKEANA.ANSWER:
Bauhinia variegata, Purple Orchid Tree, or Bauhinia purpurea, also called Purple Orchid Tree are both native to temperate and tropical Asia and therefore out of the range of expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We recommend the use of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being planted. Native plants will need less water, fertilizer and maintenance to thrive.We do have a list of Native Plant Suppliers, and some of them carry a small percentage of non-native plants, you could check with them.
Here are a couple of articles about Bauhinia, since we have no information on it in our Native Plant Database. Floridata on Bauhinia variegata and the USDA Forest Service on Bauhnia Purpurea.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Source for Abutilon fruticosum (Indian mallow) seeds
September 24, 2011 - Do you know anyone who has Abutilon Fruticosum (Indian Mallow) seeds for sale? I would love to grow the Indian Mallow, but can't locate a source. Thanks!
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Resources on advisability of using native plants in landscaping
February 13, 2004 - I'm a member of the Williamson County NPSOT. It came to our attention recently that the city of Georgetown is considering trying to be "friendlier" to native and natural landscaping. At this point ...
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Suppliers for Lantana urticoides
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Sources of information for design of prairie meados in Georgia
January 25, 2006 - Dear Ms. Smarty Plants,
I am designing a prairie meadow in Covington GA (Zone 7) at the edge of piedmont and coastal ecosystems, primarily lower piedmont. I am trying to restore a 1/2-acre site over ...
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Sources for native plants wholesale in Boston, MA
October 31, 2003 - My professor and I are looking for a list of native plant wholesale nurseries in the Boston, MA region.
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