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
Victoria, TX
Mistake in propagation of Mustang grapes from Victoria TX
I didn't read first! I planted dried mustang grape seeds in good potting soil, watered and put on tall clear plastic bags to retain moisture, will they ever come up? Should I get the seed out and r...
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Victoria, TX
Problem with crapemyrtle shoots in Victoria, TX
I have a problem with crepe myrtle shoots coming up in my flowerbed. I had to remove a large crepe myrtle tree (18" diameter stump) and digging out the stump was not possible. I killed the stump wi...
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Victoria, TX
Bee Plants for Victoria Texas
I live in Victoria south Texas and want to plant bee beneficial native wildflowers, could you provide advice or contact
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Victoria, TX
No Berries on Possumhaw from Victoria, TX
I bought a Possumhaw about 4 years ago because I love red berry plants. So you can realize my disappointment in this very healthy looking green tree that refuses to give me any red berries. What is wr...
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Hamilton Co., TX
Use of saltwater to kill weeds in gravel in Hamilton Co. TX
I want to get rid of weeds and grasses in our gravel driveway and parking areas. Which would be less harmful to the adjacent native plants and trees: saltwater or herbicide?
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Yorktown, TX
Sending a picture of an oak from Yorktown TX
How I can I send a pic of my oak in Yorktown near Cuero?
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Yoakum, TX
Smarty Plants on Rain-lily
What is the common lily (I think) that grows in the ditches and especially this year because of all the rain.
The flower is trumpet shaped and has red stripes in the petals? Very common everywhere t...
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Hochheim, TX
Eliminating straggler daisy from St. Augustine grass in Hochheim TX
I have straggler daisy in my St. Augustine grass. What herbicides work well on straggler daisy and won't ding up the grass too bad?
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Hallettsville, TX
Mountain Laurel not growing in Hallettesville, TX.
Mountain laurel has been planted over 2 years. Well drained,sandy soil, full sun. They have not grown or set blooms despite occasional all purpose fertilizers. What is wrong?
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Palacios, TX
Trees and wildflowers for Matagorda County, Texas
My family has a fish farm in Palacios, Matagorda county. I would like to plant trees and wild flowers on the property. Can you suggest the appropriate kind that can withstand the salt water around an...
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Bayside, TX
How do I plant seeds harvested from my flower bed?
In early Spring of 2011 I planted a new raised bed 75'x4' in size, with wildflower seeds obtained from a commercial nursery in Corpus Christi. I was taken back by their cost relative to the volume o...
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Bayside, TX
Growing Alopia drummondii from Seed
Can you give me information about, or a resource for, growing Alophia drummondii (propeller plant) from seed? I have the seed but don't know when & the best method for planting?
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Bayside, TX
Can wildflower seeds be stored in plastic from Bayside TX
I have been harvesting seeds from all of the varieties of wildflowers I'd planted in a raised flower bed. I had vacuum sealed them with my Seal-A Meal but a few days ago I was told that this was not ...
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El Campo, TX
Flowers for a pond area that will not hold water
We are in area code 77437 in the Coastal Plains of Texas. We have a 1 acre pond that will not hold water (dug to deep into the clay)and we would like to fill this pond with flowers (maybe wildflowers...
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Beeville, TX
Native Grasses as a Hay Crop in Beeville, TX
I am looking to cut Hay on about 38 acres just west of Beeville, Texas. I want to convert the land to native grasses, but I still want to have a decent hay crop that I can sell. What is a good set of ...
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Beeville, TX
Non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem and Coastal bermuda for horses
Is blue stem grass mixed with coastal good for horses?
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Beeville, TX
Plant identification for Beeville, TX
Today in Beeville, TX I came across a plant that looks like a grass, but has a small black and white dotted flower. The flower looks like an orchid. Could you identify this or give me direction as t...
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Rockport, TX
Plants for underneath oak tree
I have a North facing wall of my house that gets half sunlight half shade depending on the season. I would like to layout some native South Texas plants and complete fill in area to prevent the live o...
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Rockport, TX
Flowers for October wedding in Rockport TX
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I live in Rockport and am getting married in October. What can I plant that will be blooming then to have fresh cut flowers for the wedding? Also, when should I plant?
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Rockport, TX
Replacing a Mexican ash with a live oak in Rockport TX
I live in the Texas Coastal Bend (Rockport, TX). I recently lost a huge Mexican Ash, probably 45 years old. The trunk measures 11'6" at ground level, and gets progressively larger from there up. Its...
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Rockport, TX
Recommendations for native shade plants in sandy soil
I live in Rockport, TX, and would like to plant a small, shaded triangular corner (bounded on 2 sides by wooden fence)in my front yard. The area has limited southern exposure due to shading by live o...
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