Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

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

Friday - November 19, 2004

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Smarty Plants on garden weddings
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What native perennial plants should reliably be in bloom March 5? I am an avid gardener and having a garden wedding next year (March 5, 2005). For table center pieces, I am hoping to buy flats of blooming native perennials for guests to take home after the reception as ongoing memories. Small pots of native picturesque evergreens are options as well. I intend to mix a variety of plants on each table. Before I finalize any wedding colors, I wondered what flowers might be options.

ANSWER:

Here are a few flowers that begin blooming as early as February: winecups (Callirhoe involucrata), red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), golden thread (Thelesperma filifolium), scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), rose vervain (Glandularia canadensis), wind-flower (Anemone berlandieri).

You can find more early blooming wildflowers by going to the Wildflower Center web page and selecting "Explore Plants" from the side bar. Next, select "Native Plants Database". On this page you will have the option of doing an "Advanced Search" where you can search using different criteria such as bloom time, bloom color, growth form, distribution and more.
 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Where to buy a non-native globe willow from Beatrice NE
April 20, 2011 - Where can one buy a globe willow tree?
view the full question and answer

Who does pecan grafting in Brownsville, TX?
June 29, 2009 - Who does pecan tree grafting in Brownsville TX? I planted a pecan. It is now about 8' tall, and about 3 years old.
view the full question and answer

Looking for a Drummond Red Maple in Lawton, OK.
January 18, 2011 - I would like to buy a female Drummond red maple from a local retailer but it's Jan.12 and those he has in stock are leafless with just the beginnings of buds showing. They are about 20 feet tall and ...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a new duck pond that are duck proof
January 28, 2009 - Sir. I live in Charleston SC. I dug a pond for ducks in my backyard. I want to plant grass and anything else that will grow around the pond that the ducks won't want to eat up. What should I buy to p...
view the full question and answer

Source for dwarf red mulberry from Spring Hill TN
December 08, 2012 - Hello: Where can I buy a dwarf red mulberry tree in the USA? Thanks
view the full question and answer

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