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
Artesia, NM
Plant identification
I have a single stalked plant that has leaves with 5 lobes. Each lobe is also lobed. The leaves are dark green, staggered on the stalk opposite each other. Do you have any ideas what this is?
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Carlsbad, NM
Source for purchase of Texas Madrone
Where can we buy a Texas Madrone, the Peeling Tree, or Naked Indian tree?
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Roswell, NM
Will wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) grow in Roswell NM?
We live in Roswell, NM. Will a wax myrtle tree live in our climate and soil?
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Roswell, NM
Dumb question about prickly pear
This is probably a really dumb question but I am interested in picking the prickly pear next year when it is in season, and was wondering the best way to get all of the little stickers off of the pear...
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Roswell, NM
Texas Redbud Suddenly Died in NM
We had a Texas redbud, approximately 5 1/2 years old. It had been doing great then all of a sudden after it bloomed this spring, the leaves appeared but then shriveled right away. We noticed the trunk...
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Mescalero, NM
Ball moss (Tallandsia recurvata), epiphyte on oaks at Wildflower Center
I visited your center a couple weeks ago, was very impressed with the educational aspects. I noticed the epiphyte commonly growing in the oak trees, and also on the elm oak. Do you have the name of t...
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Mescalero, NM
Name of epiphyte growing on oak trees
Please tell me what the epiphyte growing on the oak trees is.
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Mescalero, NM
Epiphyte growing on oak trees in Wildflower Center
Thank you for your response to my question on what is the epiphyte growing on oak trees.
I should have been more specific to say " the epiphyte growing on the oak trees around Lady Bird Johnson wi...
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La Luz, NM
Identification of grasses for grazing from La Luz NM
I live in southern New Mexico. I have pictures of a few types of grass that I can't find anyone to help me identify with a name for livestock food. Can you help me with it? If so I can send the pi...
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Monahans, TX
Existing live oak taking over in Monahans TX
I have just purchased a home with a huge Live Oak tree in the front yard. The previous owners have over the years allowed the sucker roots to grow unchecked. The tree is shading most of the lawn (di...
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El Paso, TX
Time of year to plant Texas Mountain Laurel in El Paso, TX
When is the best time of year to plant a Mountain Laurel tree in El Paso?
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Clovis, NM
Smarty Plants on teddy bear vine
I am looking for a plant called teddy bear vine. The
scientific name is Cyanotis kewensis.
I had one a long time ago (20+ years) and I loved
it, but I can't find another one or find out whe...
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Odessa, TX
Space for a desert willow in Odessa, TX
I have a small planting space about 5X5 that is four feet in front of the side of my front door. It is right under the eaves of my house. It's rather an enclosed porch space. I have a new very sma...
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Odessa, TX
Wildflowers for West Texas Permian Basin area
What wild flowers grow out here in West Texas (Permian Basin Area)? I know a lot of the wild flowers from other parts of the state will not grow out here in the dry heat and poor soil.
Thanks for you...
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Odessa, TX
Esperanza failing to bloom in Odessa TX
I have 3 Esperanza plants that have not bloomed this spring/summer. I live in Odessa, TX. We had about 5 inches of rain in July in one week (very unusual), but they have not bloomed-before or after. ...
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Odessa, TX
Information about the bluebonnet
What other plants live near a bluebonnet?
What problems does the plant face, such as people, weather, and insects?
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Odessa, TX
Identification of shrub looking like honeysuckle in Odessa TX
Bought a shrub in Pecos, TX yesterday. It looks like honeysuckle but the brightest flat orange I have ever seen. Flower and greenery looked like honeysuckle but when I looked on the Internet under or...
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Clint, TX
Eliminating non-native grasses growiing in non-native alfalfa in Clint, TX
I have six acres of alfalfa in Clint, Tx which was planted three years ago. After taking it to Jaime Iglesias PhD, CEA-Agriculture Texas Agrilife Extension El Paso County; he responded: Mr. Zuniga: ...
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Odess,, TX
Native turf and trees for Odessa TX
What native turf and trees can I grow in my Odessa, Tx back yard?
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El Paso, TX
List of edible weeds from El Paso TX
Where can I find a list of edible weeds that grow in El Paso, TX.
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El Paso, TX
Identification of vining shrub near Fort Worth
Please let me know what this plant might be. Saw it one county west of Ft. Worth, in a wooded area, and I've never seen this in this region before.
The form is a vining shrub. Leaves are heart-sh...
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