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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Troy, AL
Optimum viewing time for Texas wildflowers, bluebonnets
I will make a car trip from Alabama to Anson, Texas, in the next month or so. I would like to time my visit to see the Blue Bonnets and/or wildflowers blooming. Please advise me as to the best time t...
view the full question and answer
Skipperville, AL
Need to plant something in the cracks in my patio in Skipperville, AL.
Mr. Smarty Pants,
I have a cement patio full of cracks. I would like to grow some sort of plant or plants in the cracks. I live in lower Alabama, and my patio is in full sunlight. Do you have an...
view the full question and answer
Ozark, AL
Tree without extensive root system in Ozark, AL
I would like to plant a tree (in full sun next to a brick house wall) that doesn't have an extensive root system. I have concerns about the roots and the water/septic lines, as well as the concrete h...
view the full question and answer
Enterprise, AL
Is cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) poisonous?
I have a Cataractarum (Cat) Palm and am wondering if it is poisonous. I have a Cockatiel who likes to play in it. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Daleville, AL
Wildflowers for Daleville AL
What wildflowers will grow in Daleville AL, in almost all day sun ?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Greenville, AL
Diagnosis of problem with Parsley hawthorn
I have a Crataegus marshallii (Parsley hawthorn) that is about 3 years old. It leafed out this spring and flowered lightly. As the summer has progressed, though, the leaves have been dropping premat...
view the full question and answer
Andalusia, AL
Plant identification of Indian Cane
I live in southern Alabama. We have a plant that is wild but I can not find any info on it. My grandmother called it Indian Cane. The stems are red and you can chew them, they have a sour taste
view the full question and answer
Wicksburg/Newton, AL
Low native groundcover for Wicksburg/Newton AL
I am laying a rather wide-set flagstone pathway in our back weeds (planning some native grass and wildflowers in the fall on either side of the path). I am looking for some very low native groundcover...
view the full question and answer
Georgiana, AL
Is Norfolk pine poisonous to cats?
Is a northfork pine poisonous to cats?
view the full question and answer
Dothan, AL
Apple trees for Dothan, AL
I would like to plant early, mid and late season apple trees in my area Dothan Al.What types can I plant that will help pollinate each other? I have plenty of room and planting some crabapples trees w...
view the full question and answer
Dothan, AL
Evergreen shrub with flowers Alabama
I am looking for an evergreen plant, shrub or the likeness that flowers in the spring that can handle hot afternoon sun in Southeast AL. Can you give me some suggestions, if there is such an animal.
view the full question and answer
Dothan, AL
Elimination of Whitemouth dayflower in Dothan AL
I am infested with Widow's Tears in my yard. I would like to get rid of them. Can you tell me how?
view the full question and answer
Dothan, AL
Wax myrtle in partial shade in Dothan AL
Will the Wax Myrtle do well in the 36303 area code in partial shade?
view the full question and answer
The Netherlands,
Seeds of Pinus engelmanii for the Netherlands
I am living in the Netherlands Europe, I hope that you can help me. A friend of mine has a beautiful Pinus Engelmannii and I am looking for seeds of this pine. Have you any idea where i can buy them? ...
view the full question and answer
Phenix City, AL
Problem with non-native sweet vernal grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum
Hello there Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about growing Anthoxanthum odoratum known as sweet vernal grass. I'm trying to get Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet vernal grass, to grow in my yard becau...
view the full question and answer
Phenix City, AL
Drooping leaves on iris in Phenix City, AL
I had a bed FULL of iris rhizomes so I thinned them out and made two beds. They flowered perfectly but some of the flower stalks and some of the leaves began drooping over. The flowering is over. The ...
view the full question and answer
Phenix City, AL
Plants to stop erosion in Alabama
Our front yard is being washed down the street when we have rainstorms. It's been especially bad this year due to all the rain.What kinds of plants/grasses could we use to help stop the water from r...
view the full question and answer
Phenix City, AL
Growing rabitteye blueberries in Phenix City AL
What type soil is needed to grow rabbiteye blueberries?
view the full question and answer
Phenix City, AL
Erosion controlling Groundcover for Phenix AL
Hi I am trying to find a grass or ground cover to control erosion on firing range berms which are 1:1 grade on a firing range outside of Phenix City AL. Sandy clay soil, direct sunlight almost all day...
view the full question and answer
Bonifay, FL
Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL
I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this are...
view the full question and answer
Bonifay, FL
Should I purchase wax myrtle plants as liners or pots
I want to buy some wax myrtle over internet.Place has wax myrtle "liners" They look very thin. Will these bushes grow quickly or should I spend more $ for 1 gallon plants. Just need a hedge fairly q...
view the full question and answer