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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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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.

Questions From Near You

Waller, TX
Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence
I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever...
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Waller, TX
Invasive, non-native Siberian peashrub for waller TX
Good Morning Mr. Smarty Plants! I am trying to find out if the Siberian Pea Shrub is a good plant for Southeast Texas or if it is considered an invasive no no. It seems to have many qualities for wild...
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Waller, TX
Native trees safe for cattle in Waller TX
I have a ranch where the pastures have no trees. Can you recommend native species which as safe for cattle and relatively maintenance free?
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Waller, TX
Creating a bluebonnet patch between Brenham and Houston.
I am creating a Bluebonnet patch in a well-drained section of my flowerbed. I just planted the plants (it is now early April and I'm between Houston and Brenham, TX). I plan to let them go to seed ...
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Hockley, TX
Native grasses for horse and cattle forage in Hockley, Texas
I would like to know the best type of native hay to seed on 10 acres in Hockley, Tx. The hay will be used for forage for horses and a milk cow. We would like to go completely organic and not use any ...
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hockley, TX
A bounty of options for planting natives in Hockley Texas
I have about 1 acre of land in Hockley Texas, outside Houston, that we had cleared of shrubs and poison ivy. We kept the trees so there are some areas with mostly shade and some areas with partial su...
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Hockley, TX
Need a native tree for full sun in Hockley, TX
What native trees should I plant for full sun. I am building on a 1/2 acre previously used as grazing land on the original Katy prairie. I need one large shade tree, a few smaller ornamentals, and a...
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Hockley, TX
Survival of native lawn in Hockley TX
I'm on the edge of the Katy Prairie and a very large ranch with full blasting sun and completely open exposure. The soil is fill from the developers with more clay than sand, a minimum of nutrients,...
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Hockley, TX
Removing poison ivy around live oak in Hockley TX
We have a large live oak in our backyard, estimated to be over 100 years old. I am working on clearing out the brush that is under the tree. Can I spray commercially available poison ivy killer in t...
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Hockley, TX
Native evergreen vine for East Texas
Can you please recommend a native vine (western edge of East Texas in the pines) that will be evergreen and fast growing? It will get about 4 to 5 hours of sun on my moongate. Flowers a plus, but not ...
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Hockley, TX
Plant identification
There is a plant growing on the side of the road near my home. The stalk of it is thistle like with many prickles. The flower on it is white and has 6 petals.
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Hockley, TX
Is non-native mascagnia macroptera poisonous to animals from Hockley TX
Is Mascagmia macroptra (Butterfly Vine) poisonous to animals (horses and dogs)?
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Hempstead, TX
Seeding the banks of a large pond
I have a 2 acre surface pond that is mostly a hard clay bank all around. The water level is way down and I will begin filling it very soon. I need to somehow being affordable, plant something or thing...
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Hempstead, TX
Planting native yaupons on fence line for privacy
I live in the country and someone bought the place next door and is building a house close to me.(150 yards) I want to plant yaupon trees on my fence line. Can I get seeds somewhere? I have yaupons ...
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Hempstead, TX
Source for Orbexilum from Hempstead TX
I am looking for a source of plants or seed for a Texas native plant: Mountain Pea, orbexilum sp. (nova). Thank you,
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Hempstead, TX
Hankering for a view-blocking hedge in Hempstead, TX.
Hempstead is 50 miles west of Houston and I am looking for a fast growing native to provide a block of a view for a fairly large area (about half a block). I would prefer something that is also benef...
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Hempstead, TX
Commercial sources of Virginia creeper
I am looking for Virginia Creeper 'Engelmannii' liners, I have looked through most of your national suppliers directory, only a couple carry vines. Thank you,
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Cedar Creek, TX
Need plants to provide a privacy screen in Cedar Creek, TX
We need to screen out neighbor's house. What can we plant (fast growing tree or hedge) in partial shade? Area is dry in summer, but does get soggy during heavy rain. We live east of Austin in Cedar C...
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Cedar Creek, TX
Propagation of evergreen sumac by cuttings from Cedar Creek TX
I seek an ”Evergreen Sumac” propagation method by cuttings.
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Cedar Creek, TX
New low maintenance grass similar to Turffalo
While touring the Wildlife Center, our group was told about about a new low maintenance grass similar to Turffalo. It only grows several inches tall, drought resistant and crowds out other grasses an...
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Cedar Creek, TX
Nutgrass
Hey Hi Barbara, I just read the information you gave about nut grass. I had wished for other options. Back to digging them out. Thanks for the information What about substituting cud zoo. S...
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