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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - September 30, 2013
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identity of shrubs in Austin neighborhood
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have run across two beautiful bushes in our neighborhood. They have flowering branches that daisy-chain out like a fountain. No one can tell me what they are. They are located in front and on the west side of a duplex at 8811 Springmail Circle. This duplex is on my street but on the other side of the street and at the other end. It is on the corner of Springmail and Anderson MIll Road. I was wondering if you know or could help me get a name for these bushes. How can I send three pictures I took yesterday evening.ANSWER:
Our focus and expertise here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America and the plants you describe are very unlikely to be native plants since they are growing in association with lawns and residences. They are most likely non-native introduced cultivars and not really in our purview.
The only plant that I can think of that has a growth habit similar to your description is Jasminum mesnyi (Chinese jasmine) that, as the name implies, is a native of China. I do know that these shrubs occur around the Austin area. Here are more photos from Plantas y Jardin. It would be helpful to know what color the flowers on the shrubs are. The ones on the Chinese jasmine are yellow.
If you visit our Plant Identification page, you will find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification. Read the "Important Notes" on that page for tips on taking photos to submit.
More Plant Identification Questions
Smarty Plants on milkweed
August 20, 2005 - I am looking for a photo of the local milkweed in the state of North Carolina. The name would be a help also. I am raising butterflies and I am in dire need of plants.
view the full question and answer
Identity of plant that smells like dill in California
June 30, 2013 - Whenever I drive over the Sonoma County, CA coastal range and to the beach (usually Bodega) as you get closer to the ocean the air is scented not just with the wonderful smell of the sea, but also of ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification and advice about moving it
March 10, 2010 - I have a plant (a thick stalk about 4 foot tall with yellow flowers on it) that blooms in the morning and the flowers fall off at night. I have searched for info on this plant and have come up short. ...
view the full question and answer
How Can I Tell an Invasive Thistle from a Native
May 01, 2012 - Mr Smarty Plants,
I have some thistles coming up in my yard. I'd like to keep them if they are native, but not if they are invasive or non-native. How can I tell? My yard is a wild area in West Lak...
view the full question and answer
Mystery tree in Ontario
July 06, 2011 - I found a tree (similar to an apple tree in blossom) in a shaded area by a stream on our property. I have never seen anything like it. It is again, like an apple branch with the blossoms, however, t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |