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

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

Needs Help with Peonies
January 14, 2011 - With the clay soil in North Texas (Frisco) which variety of peony would thrive and become a reliable bloomer? I do work on amending the soil with expanded shell and compost, but ultimately, we still h...
view the full question and answer

Meadow garden for Colorado Springs CO
June 03, 2012 - We recently purchased a restored home on a mesa just above the downtown area of Colorado Springs on the front range. The previous owners seeded the front lawn with blue gramma and told me that all I ...
view the full question and answer

Plants under oak trees
April 21, 2009 - I have a large live oak (actually several) in my front yard, which basically puts the beds at the foundation of my house in full shade. I tore out the builder-boxwoods and privets, hoping to plant so...
view the full question and answer

Monarda species seed for heirloom gardens in Wales
June 15, 2012 - Hello. I am trying to obtain seeds for the following Monarda species: - barletti, lindheimeri, russeliana, and viridissima. Our address is Wales, United Kingdom and we are hoping to obtain the full c...
view the full question and answer

Looking for a source for milkweed plants in Goshen, KY.
July 12, 2012 - I live in Louisville(actually Jeffersontown), KY and would love to find some milkweed plants for the butterflies. I have not had any luck with seeds so I am looking for actual plants. Do you have an...
view the full question and answer

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