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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - September 15, 2009
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Looking for chinaberry trees to buy and plant in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking to buy china berry small trees to plant in Austin , any suggestion where i might be able to buy them thank youANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants says: "Please, please, please don't plant Melia azeradach (chinaberry trees)." This is an introduced species from Asia that is very invasive. Here are several references that cite their invasiveness:Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group Least Unwanted
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States
US Forest Service Weed of the Week
Please consider one of the following as an alternative:
Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (western soapberry)
Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)
Fraxinus velutina (velvet ash)
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Where to purchase a Clematis pitcherii (purple leather flower) in North Texas
March 01, 2011 - Do you know where in north Texas I can purchase a Clematis pitcheri, or Purple leather flower? I've looked for several years and have had no luck.
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Source for safe glass mulch in Austin, TX.
August 13, 2010 - Do you know where one can buy locally in Austin the recycled glass mulch that is sold in clean condition, color separated?
view the full question and answer
Source of Rosa foliolosa for Zilker Gardens, Austin
February 19, 2007 - We're looking for a specimen plant of Rosa foliolosa and I am hoping you can direct me where I can purchase one for the Vee Fowler Native Texas Herb Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens.
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing, evergreen, non-invasive root tree for El Dorado CA
February 20, 2011 - We need to plant a FAST-growing, non-deciduous TREE with a non-invasive root system. Where can we buy one?
view the full question and answer
Possible source of dermatitis in Wisconsin
November 10, 2008 - I hunt in a Marshy area in central WI. I have had a breakout on my skin that is not from poison ivy. There is a plant that has pine like needles on it that look like dried up pine needles that is ye...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |