Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers Nan Hampton, Jimmy Mills and Barbara Medford to be the culpable and capable parties. Yet, others think staff members Damon Waitt, Joe Marcus and Philip Hawkins might play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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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.
Questions From Near You
Childress, TX
Gaura coccinea for xeric garden
Is Scarlet Gaura (Gaura coccinea) a good plant for a small xeric garden? How invasive is it?
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Shamrock, TX
Perennials for flowerbed in Texas Panhandle
I have a flowerbed in a partially shaded area and want some perennials. I live in the Texas Panhandle, soil is sandy, loamy. Hardiness zone is 6-B.
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McLean, TX
Native perennials for Donley County, TX
What are the best perennials to plant in Donley County, TX?
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Benjamin, TX
What is the name of the Texas Wildflower that smells like grape koolaid?
Can you tell me the name of the Texas wildflower that smells like grape koolaid? I live in north west Texas and every spring, the low growing purple flowers line spots along the roadside. It's a joy ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Adding Wildflowers to Corpus Christi
I have a dry sandy yard, full sun in Corpus Christi with lot's of stickers mostly, want to transform to wildflowers. When should I plant, how should I prepare soil, should I dig out stickers? Which w...
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Plainview, TX
Will smoketrees (Cotinus sp.) grow in the Texas Panhandle region
Will smoke trees grow in the Lubbock-Amarillo, Texas region of Texas?
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Pampa, TX
Transplanting honeysuckle
How do I transplant Honeysuckle?
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Pampa, TX
Seed sources for Mexican Gama Grass
I'm trying to find a seed source for Mexican Gama Grass (scientific name is Tripsacum lanceolatum). Can you help me? Thanks.
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Haskell, TX
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone of Haskell, TX
What region are we in --- Haskell, Tx. (Between Abilene and Wichita Falls)
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Burkburnett, TX
Small shrub for shady area
I would like to find a shrub to plant on the north, northeast side of my house, but it will be in mostly shade. It needs to get between 21/2' to 4' tall. Do you have any suggestions please?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Drought and Shade tolerant plants for Wichita Falls, TX
I can find lots of information about planting drought tolerant, sun loving native plants, a number of which I've planted over the years. But I can find very little information about drought tolerant ...
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Wichita Falls, TX
White spots on Hibiscus leaves
My hibiscus trees have white spots or splotches on the leaves. What is it and what can I do to get rid of it?
Also, the birds are eating my tomatoes faster than i can grow them. I've used the owl &...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Problems with hibiscus tree in Wichita Falls, TX
My Hibiscus trees have black spots on the leaves. What might this be and what is the remedy?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting wildflowers from Wichita Falls, TX
Hi,
Thanks so much for the answers you give! You've been very helpful to me in the past. I have two quick questions:
1) I have been harvesting seeds from my wildflowers. I wonder when the best time...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Evergreen screening tree for Wichita Falls TX
Recommendations for a screen plant. Dry. full sun. 20 to 30 ft.high. evergreen. Wichita Falls, TX location.
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting Artemisia Cuttings in Texas
I've rooted a number of artemisia plants in water and have transplanted them to pots. They grow so very well in our dry drought-stricken soil and need very little water. I'd like to transition these...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX
What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Summer-blooming Wildflowers for Wichita Falls, TX
Can you give me a list of some summer-blooming (June, July, August, maybe September) wildflowers that I can plant in my flower beds in Wichita Falls, TX and tell me when the best time is to sow the se...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Wildflower seeds for Nocona, Texas
I have a place on Lake Nocona in Nocona,TX and am wanting to buy native wild flower seeds that will take the heat and little water. I have both sunlight and shade. I,m interested in the western prairi...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting time for Helianthus annuus in Wichita Co., TX
I need to know when is the best time to plant sunflowers in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
Thank you for your time.
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Wichita Falls, TX
Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX.
With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ...
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