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
New Ulm, TX
Plants for slopes in South Texas
Can you provide a list of plants for use on slopes in S. Texas?
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catspring, TX
More on bluebonnets
There are several different species of bluebonnets that grow in Texas. Which one is the official state flower?
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catspring, TX
More on bluebonnets
Where can I find seeds for maroon bluebonnets? I understand that Texas A&M has developed cultivars for this plant in as many as four colors. I haven't been able to find a source for them.
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Catspring, TX
Conditions for growing Prunus mexicana
Will a native Wild Plum do well in the Cat Spring area west of Houston. The soil is quite sandy. I was told that the plum trees attract deer.
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Cat Spring, TX
Can non-native star jasmine attract snakes?
I have star jasmine climbing up my house. Can it attract snakes?
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Alleyton, TX
Propagation of quincula lobata from Alleyton TX
Quincula lobata..how to propagate and when?
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Columbus, TX
Looking for plants for phytoremediation in Columbus, TX
Hello! I am looking for native Texan phytodegrading/rhizodegrading plants (basically I want phytoremediating plants that could be left in place and not have to be removed/disposed of after they had ta...
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Columbus, TX
plants for a rain garden's moist area in Central Texas
I am looking for local natives to plant in the wet portion of a rain garden/bioswale. Can you help, please?
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Ellinger, TX
Flowers for sandy loam and sun in Fayette Co., Texas
Hi I am looking to know what the best flowers are to plant in sandy loam and no shade?
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Bellville, TX
When to mow bluebonnets
I have approx. 2 acres on the side and front of my house in Austin County. When can I mow the remaining high grass and not disturb the natural renewal? Also, I plan to purchase more bluebonnet seed ...
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Bellville, TX
Low-growing evergreen shrubs for Bellville , TX
I live north of Bellville, TX and have a 3-tiered retaining wall on the west and north sides of my house. What low growing (around 2' tall) evergreen shrubs would be good to plant here. The west si...
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Bellville, TX
Evergreen shrub for screen in Bellville, Texas
Would you please recommend a dense evergreen for a living screen in Bellville, TX (Austin County) that will receive full sun? Fast growing and a minimum height of 8' are preferred.
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Round Top, TX
Source for purchase of Texas ash tree in Round Rock, TX
Where can I purchase a Texas Ash (Fraxinus texenis)?
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Brenham, TX
Optimum mowing time for acreage with spring wildflowers
I have several acres where wildflowers grow in the spring, & would like to know when and how often to mow this field for optimum blooms?
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Brenham, TX
Drought and Fire Resistant Plants for Round Top, Texas
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants
Do you have any advice on plants which are drought tolerant and fire resistant for a central Texas location near Round Top Texas?
Thanks
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Brenham, TX
When to mow after bluebonnets bloom in Brenham, TX
I live in Brenham, TX, and thanks to spreading 80 pounds of bluebonnet seeds last fall, we had a very small but promising showing of bluebonnets this March and April. The bluebonnets still appear to b...
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brenham, TX
More on bluebonnets
Do bluebonnets, being a legume, contribute anything beneficial to the soil?
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Brenham, TX
Oak tree with browning leaves in Brenham TX
I have a large oak tree in my small back yard. I also have a sprinkler so the tree has been receiving some water. Nevertheless, some of the leaves are turning brown in patches. Would drip watering ...
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Brenham, TX
Plants for shady area in Brenham, TX
I have an area which receives shade all day, but gets a lot of sun just before sunset. What sorts of plants would do well?
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Brenham, TX
When to reseed wildflowers in a drought year?
My acreage with extensive wildflowers was mowed in 2010 before annuals had seeded. Only a few returned this year. Considering the predicted lonterm drought should I postpone reseeding this fall?
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Brenham, TX
Native plants for deer
I live on 5 acres near Brenham and want to plant FOR the deer, without using non-natives. I leave unmowed islands of Buffalo grass, little bluestem and many native forbs. I know they are using it for ...
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