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.

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?

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 - July 08, 2012

From: Bend , OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Edible Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Need source of plants for making teas in Bend, Oregon.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I love to make my own tea, just moved to central Oregon and want to know some good plants I can find anywhere in town and can use in my teas.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants is wondering which plants you were using for teas in your former home? Some of the same plants may occur around Bend, Oregon. For help finding these plants, contact the folks at the Deschutes County of Oregon State University Agriculture Extension. Another source of help that I would recommend is the Native Plant Society of Oregon,but the High Desert Chapter in Bend is inactive now. However, there’s a contact on the website, and you may be the one who can get them activated again.

The links below have tips for growing plants that can be used for tea, lists of plants in nature that can be used for tea, and a catalog for seeds to grow plants for tea.

Plant Lists

Growing plants

Mostly seeds

Plant lists

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Plants for steep slope in California
February 21, 2010 - I have steep slope, southwestern facing, minimal shade in Southern California. The soil is rocky. Because of fire danger, I would rather not plant grasses. Do you have a suggestion?
view the full question and answer

Correct cultural conditions for liatris
April 15, 2008 - I recently bought some gayfeather (liatris pycnostachya) and planted in my yard in a nice full sun spot. Gets sun for roughly 10 hours a day. However, it's also the single driest spot in my yard (jus...
view the full question and answer

Care for Monardella undulata var. frutescens from Pleasanton CA
March 05, 2011 - Inquiry about care of the plant Monardella undulata var frutescens "Jokerst." Full Sun? Soil? etc Thanks, Smarty!
view the full question and answer

Plants for a lakeside bank in NC
November 07, 2011 - Our association is looking to plant a huge sloped area that runs down to Lake Wylie. We want to plant something that is good for erosion and that does not grow too tall so that we keep our view of th...
view the full question and answer

Native Species List for Ponca OK
June 24, 2011 - I planted daylilies in my Austin garden and did not do well. I moved these daylilies to my garden in Ponca City Oklahoma and have done outstanding relying only on mother nature's rain. My garden in ...
view the full question and answer

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