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

Wednesday - March 02, 2005

From: catspring, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: More on bluebonnets
Answered by: Joe Marcus and Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Where can I find seeds for maroon bluebonnets? I understand that Texas A&M has developed cultivars for this plant in as many as four colors. I haven't been able to find a source for them.

ANSWER:

Dr. Jerry Parsons, Professor and Horticulturist for Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A&M University System is responsible for developing a maroon-colored cultivar of L. texensis.  Maroon, of course, is Texas A&M's school color. Seeds of this Texas maroon bluebonnet, L. texensis 'Alamo Fire', are available to purchase from Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas. You can read what Dr. Parsons has to say about the development of this maroon cultivar as well as the white-, lavender-, pink- and red-flowered varieties of Lupinus texensis
 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Inoculant for bluebonnets
October 08, 2007 - Where can I find inoculant for my bluebonnets? I have searched high and low. Native American Seeds does not carry it. I can buy it for soybeans in a huge quantity, but am not sure that this is the ...
view the full question and answer

Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas
August 10, 2014 - Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer...
view the full question and answer

Food value of cultivars of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
May 21, 2008 - Can you suggest any resources regarding the wildlife value of native plant cultivars? For example, I can only buy an eastern red Cedar cultivar in my region: "Burkii" or "Emerald Sentinel". I w...
view the full question and answer

Mediun-sized tree for southern California, possibly Monterey cypress
September 07, 2009 - Hello, I live in Glendora CA 91741, I am looking for a CA native non -deciduous medium size tree to provide shade in the front yard. I was thinking of monterey cypress; any suggestions and place to ...
view the full question and answer

Purchase sources of Buffalograss from Corpus Christi TX
March 17, 2012 - I've heard a lot of good things about Buffalograss, but no one in my area seems to carry it. One grower actually told me it didn't grow well here and recommended St. Augustine Floratam instead. Is ...
view the full question and answer

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