Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Sunday - February 13, 2011

From: Simms, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Identification of tree or shrub from Simms TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Thought you might have the expertise to help identify this tree/shrub? They were planted about 10 years ago and started in a pot about 2 feet high. I have photos but not sure how to send them to you; please let me know. Thank you for your time

ANSWER:

We are sorry, but this is not enough of a clue for us to identify your plant, especially since we don't even know if it is native or non-native. If it is non-native, it will not appear in our database. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. We are no longer able to identify plants from pictures, simply because of the time involved. See our Mr. Smarty Plants page on identifying plants for suggestions on where you might get the information you need. Another possibility is to contact the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Office for Bowie County. If the plant is already growing in your neighborhood, perhaps someone around you knows what it is. Once you have it identified, you can first check to see if it is native by going to our Native Plant Database, typing in the name of the plant, in the first box on the page and click "Go." Please note that there are many common names for every plant, and the common name you have may not match any in our database, or perhaps the spelling does not. If you get no matches on that search, try Google. It will sometimes be able to help you in that it will present alternative spellings to see if that is what you are trying to find.

 

More Shrubs Questions

Will hybrid Tecoma stans attract hummingbirds from Glendale AZ
July 07, 2012 - We bought a bells of fire plant; would like to know if hummingbirds like them?
view the full question and answer

Small shrubs for roof garden in Washington DC
February 01, 2009 - I am looking for a hardy evergreen shrub for a roof garden in DC. Needs to be 3-4 feet tall, evergreen, dense, survive the extreme wind, cold and heat.
view the full question and answer

Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA
June 24, 2012 - I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec...
view the full question and answer

Native plants for sandy soil and not much water
April 14, 2008 - I am planning a new garden at home and would like to grow native plants that can handle sandy soil and don't need much water. I do not water my gardens.I would prefer plants that can have more than o...
view the full question and answer

Need plants for a hedge in Iredell, Tx
August 28, 2009 - I have six Penelope roses that I planted for a hedge about 14 years ago. I need to replace them. Will you please recommend heat tolerant plants that grow between 3-5 feet tall, preferable blooming, ...
view the full question and answer

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