Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

Westlake Hills, TX
How rare is the Devil's Cigar Fungus (Chorioactis geaster)?
I have found a fungus called devil's cigar in the woods behind my house in Westlake Hills Texas. I read that it is rare. Is it considered rare even to Central Texas? If so, do I need to let someone k...
view the full question and answer

Dalworthington Gardens, TX
Management practices to eradicate Johnson grass
Please suggest some eradication methods for Johnson grass. It is established in a field that I want to encourage native wildflowers/plants such as goldenrod, prairie coneflower, blue eyed grass, milkw...
view the full question and answer

Arlington , TX
Leaves on yaupon holly turning brown/black
Arlington TX Yaupon Holly has leaves on stems closer to the bottom of the plant and moving up that are turning brown/black. Is this a disease, over/under watering? There is black gummy soil, but it ha...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Controlling Cochineal Insects on Cholla Cactus
We have cochineal insects on a cholla cactus. Will they kill the plant? What should we do to get rid of them if water spraying them won't work?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
What does spp. stand for in Paspalum spp? From Arlington, TX.
What does the spp stand for when talking about Paspalum spp?
view the full question and answer

arlington, TX
Las Vegas lawn grass for Dallas
Dear Smarty Plants, Every time we go to Las Vegas I admire the beautiful grass in the lawns of most of the strip casinos. It looks like a fescue but it is just as beautiful on the hottest summer day...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Sales of horseherb seeds in Arlington, TX area
Where can I purchase horseherb seeds in Arlington tx.or Dallas Ft.Worth area
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Companion planting with heartleaf skullcap from Arlington TX
What can I plant with heart-leaf skullcap when it goes dormant in the summer?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Plant identification
There's a wildflower I can't identify. I have a picture of it and have searched many sites and can't seem to find it. Is there a way I can submit the pic to you to identify?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Oak Bark Loss in Arlington, TX
I have multiple oak trees in my yard (in north texas) that have begun to lose their bark in small chunks. I'm in the middle of the city so their are no deer and yes it's been a dry 2 years but this...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
native plants for landscaping in Honolulu
Hi, wildflower.org has been a great help for me in learning about different plants, their Latin names and characteristics. I was looking for a list of plants (trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Sticky white substance from Arizona Ash tree in Arlington TX
Our Arizona Ash Tree is producing a white substance that floats down from the tree almost like a snowflake the size of a bb. You cannot see it on the tree/leaves. When it lands on the car, it takes th...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Container plants for Arlington TX
Mr. Smarty Plants, I just moved to Arlington, TX. I am trying to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. What flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit combinations can I put together that wil...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Shrubs for erosion protection in Arlington TX
We live on Johnson Creek in Arlington, Tx. We have recently had to move our fenceline in because the erosion on the creek has collapsed a portion of our retaining wall. I would like to plant somethi...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Blueberries in Arlington TX
Which wild or native blueberries can I grow in Arlington Texas? I think it is zone 8?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Eastern redcedar uprooted by snow in Arlington, TX
During the recent snowstorm one of our juniperus virginiana fell over with the rootball looking intact and with a lot of soil all around it.Should we try to save it? It is approximately 20 feet tall ...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
More on bluebonnets
When can I harvest my Bluebonnets?
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Pollinating moth of Arkansas Yucca from Arlington TX
What is the pollinating moth of the Arkansas yucca. I have Desert willows which is the larval host for white-winged moth, but the yuccas are still not seeding. What other larval hosts plants can I p...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Large shrub for screen in shade
I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and cr...
view the full question and answer

Arlington, TX
Pollinator to Arkansas yucca from Arlington TX
Thank you Barbara for your answer. However, my Arkansas yuccas bloom every year, but do not set seed. I am asking for the name of the moth that pollinates them, or other native plants that serve as ...
view the full question and answer