Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - March 14, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Baby Butts in Bluebonnets
Answered by: Sage Kawecki
QUESTION:
Do photo sessions in the Bluebonnet patch cause harm to the plants?ANSWER:
Standing and sitting on Bluebonnets damages the flowers, which greatly diminishes their ability to set seed for the next year. Also, native pollinators depend on the Bluebonnet as a food source, and are directly affected by the diminished Bluebonnet population. Please be respectful of Bluebonnet communities and keep them looking good so that everyone can enjoy them. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides specific Bluebonnet patches in our botanical garden for your photo opportunities.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Castillea indivisa as Texas native Indian Paintbrush
February 05, 2007 - Upon researching the Texas Indian-Paintbrush I have satisfactorially come up with the latin name Castilleja foliolosa, funny thing is on the plants.usda.gov site it shows that this plant grows ...
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets for Shanghai
June 25, 2012 - I am a Texas native that now lives in Shanghai, and I am trying to grow a little piece of home (Texas bluebonnets) indoors, and I was wondering:
a. Do you have any ideal soil recipes that bluebonne...
view the full question and answer
Can I Divide Rudbeckia in July in NC.
July 22, 2009 - How do I transplant Blackeyed Susans so I can add them to other parts of the bed. I started with one and it is crowding out other plants, so I would like to transplant to other parts of the yard.
view the full question and answer
Identification of Texas bluebell (Eustoma exaltatum)
June 27, 2006 - Very recently on the 6 o'clock news there was a report about The Center joining UT. There was a picture of a large, purple lily-like/trumpet flower with a yellow pistil.
I recall my Grandmother call...
view the full question and answer
Trees and wildflowers for Matagorda County, Texas
January 06, 2012 - My family has a fish farm in Palacios, Matagorda county. I would like to plant trees and wild flowers on the property. Can you suggest the appropriate kind that can withstand the salt water around an...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |