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
Thursday - June 12, 2014
From: Magnolia, Tx, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live in Magnolia TX and have a shrub we can't identify. It's evergreen and has waxy leaves with a serrated edge that are about an inch in length. They have pink flowers and they grow to about 4 feet before we prune them back in winter.ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focuses on plants native to North America. I can't find any plant native to southeastern Texas that fits your description. You can look for it in our Native Plant Database yourself by doing the COMBINATION SEARCH and choosing Texas from the Select State or Province option, "Shrub" from Habit (general appearance) and "Pink" under Bloom Color. I strongly suspect it is an introduced species cultivated for the nursery and landcaping trade and we aren't the ones who can identify it. If you have or can take photos of the shrub, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
More Plant Identification Questions
Fragrant night blooming plant
June 09, 2009 - My Grandmother use to have a night fragrant night blooming plant that she referred to as "baby Jesus being born" when it bloomed.
Are you familiar with anything of this nature?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 16, 2011 - I have a photo of a shrubby plant with large spines. Is there a way for me to attach it? I'm having trouble identifying it. Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Plant ID in Crossville TN
July 12, 2009 - I live in Crossville TN and have found a common plant on hikes in the state park. It has long (1-1.5)narrow leaves that are green and deep red? What is it please?
view the full question and answer
Identification of white flowering bush with lovely scent
May 17, 2015 - Please identify the sweet smelling white flowering bush/tree blooming now,May, in western Massachusetts. The flowers are tiny 4(?) petals in small clusters. The scent is wonderful.
view the full question and answer
Need help identifying a plant with lupine-like leaves in La Grange Park, IL
May 20, 2010 - I encountered a plant on a level area just above a creek bed (moist soil, sun to partial sun) at one of the three largest grasslands in Illinois. The specific site looked like it may have been a burn ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |