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Questions From Near You

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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Williamson County, TX
Identification of native dogwoods in Williamson Co., TX
Hi Mr/Mrs SmartyPlants What are the small-ish wild trees that are blooming so beautifully now? They are practically covered in pretty white blossoms. I've always called them dogwoods but in the vari...
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Collin County, TX
Native plants for rain garden in Collin Co., TX
I am developing a Collin County Master Gardener’s program on Rain Gardens (in particular) and Rain Harvesting (generally.) I saw the recent article in your magazine about rain gardens and wondered if ...
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Hays County, TX
Control of Roosevelt weed in Hays County, TX
Roosevelt weed is rapidly taking over the ranchette which we have purchased in Hays County. Any suggestions for reducing or eliminating its presence will be appreciated. Thanks.
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Newton County, TX
Advisability of sowing wildflower seeds in mid-January in Lousiana
Newton County borders Louisiana in SE Texas. Can we plant wildflowers now-mid January? The park has recently been graded and many trees blown down by Rita which will make it more sunny. The Garden ...
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San Saba County, TX
Daily water absorption of live oak from soil
How much water does the live oak absorb from the soil per day?
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Lubbock, TX
How many leaflets does a Texas Bluebonnet have?
How many leaves does a Texas Bluebonnet have? I have a co-worker who is making disparaging remarks about my bluebonnet plaque.
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Lubbock, TX
Will Hesperaloe parviflora Yellow propagate true from seed?
Mr. Smarty Plants, I have searched all over the internet and have not been able to find an answer to my question. Will Hesperaloe parviflora 'Yellow' propagate true from seed or is division requ...
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Lubbock, TX
Propagation of Liatris elegans in Lubbock TX
I am going to harvest several Liatris Elegans.I want to grow as many as possible out of what I harvest. What will be the best method? I have plenty of land at my home for growing these plants.I will ...
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Lubbock, TX
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
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Lubbock, TX
Does non-native mimosa tree have a tap root from Lubbock TX?
Does a mimosa tree have a tap root? I would like to plant one next to a concrete driveway to help shade the garage and do not want to cause damage to the driveway in the future. Thank you in advance...
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Lubbock, TX
Plant identification
I had a coworker bring back a branch of tree from San Antonio and the end of the branch fans out into a drapery type structure about a foot long with bud looking things all over it, almost fungally lo...
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Lubbock, TX
Advisability of landscape cloth in native gardens
Is the use of landscape cloth healthy or unhealthy in native gardens?
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Lubbock, TX
Pruning of Desert Hibiscus Coulteri from Lubbock, TX
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, We have in our garden this year 2 volunteer Desert Hibiscus Coulteri----quite lanky! I notice on your website under "comments" someone notes they should be cut back "nearly...
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Lubbock, TX
Long term effects of pesticide from Lubbock TX
I have 9 western pecan trees about 20 years old. Trunk sizes is from 18" to 39". I used a product Bayer Tree and Shrub, applied to the trees. I wonder what it will do to the trees. I talkd to Bayer ...
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Lubbock, TX
Purple ash trees for Lubbock TX
Do purple ash trees grow well in Lubbock Texas? I want a faster growing tree. Heard all the oaks are slower. Any opinions would be appreciated.
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Lubbock, TX
Screening Shrub for Lubbock TX
I am a landscape architecture student at Texas Tech University and am looking for a drought tolerant shrub to be used for screening a water well area. The location is the northwest corner of a yard wi...
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Lubbock, TX
Plantings for beneath a red oak in Lubbock TX
What would you recommend to plant in a two tiered raised bed facing west, totally blocked from the east, thus receiving only the afternoon sun? A 21 year old red oak sits in the middle of the upper ra...
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Lubbock , TX
Student wants pointers to increase germination rate of Salvia farinacea in Lubbock, Texas
I am a student at Texas Tech, studying environmental horticulture. I have been doing research on Salvia farinacea as well as a number of other natives. I've just been assigned a project to increase t...
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Lubbock , TX
Groundcover for rock garden under large oak
I am planning a small rock garden under a large oak tree. I would like a spreading evergreen ground cover that will grow in the shade. Drought-tolerant would be preferred as I live in the high plains...
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Canyon , TX
Plant identfication
My wife and I have our first summer garden at our new home in the Panhandle of Texas. Included within our crop are several alien large, broad stalk, broad leaved plants with an extremely pungent, offe...
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