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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!

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Questions From Near You

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
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
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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Rockport, TX
Protection of live oak trees from covering by concrete patio
I am thinking about pouring a large cement patio around my live oak trees in my yard. I live in Rockport Tx. How far should the edge of the cement be, from the base of the tree? Will the patio kill th...
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Rockport, TX
Buffalograss to replace non-native St. Augustine lawn in Rockport TX
I currently have a St. Augustine lawn that is being overtaken by weeds. I would like to replace it with buffalo grass. How do I prepare my lawn in order to seed it with the buffalo grass and how tol...
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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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Rockport, TX
Replacing non-native St. Augustine with native grasses in Rockport TX
Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a few questions for you. I live in Rockport and am in the process of revamping my yard to native species. I currently have San Augustine, weed infested grass. I want to scrap...
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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
Need some help with my Mexican Bush Sage in Rockport, TX.
My Mexican bush sage looks leggy,ratty and sparse. It's planted in full sun and was cut back to the ground in early spring. My soil is sand and I've watered it sparingly as we've had no rain. I'm...
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Rockport, TX
Where to plant the Texas Olive tree?
I need to know where to plant the Texas Olive Tree, and what kind of care is required, such as watering, pruning, fertilization.
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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
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
Cedar Elm trees for Rockport, TX
Cedar Elm trees for the Gulf Coast area? I live alongside a fresh water lake with sandy soil that is 2 miles from the bays. Along the shoreline, I'd like to replace a Weeping Willow that is in decl...
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Aransas Pass , TX
Flowers to bloom in next 4 months from Aransas Pass, TX
Looking for seeds to put down that will bloom over the next 4 months or so in the southern gulf coast area
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Portland , TX
Planting non-native coastal bermudagrass in Portland TX
How do you plant coastal grass?
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Portland, TX
Source for Frostweed plants or seeds from Portland TX
I am looking for somewhere I can buy Frostweed plants or seeds. I live in Portland, TX, but frequent San Antonio and the Hill Country. Can you help me with this?
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Portland, TX
Getting rid of King Ranch bluestem
I have recently moved to South Texas Coastal town of Portland, Texas. My St. Augestine turf grass has been invaded by - what the neighbors tell me - King Ranch Blue Stem grass. I am having a terribl...
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Portland, TX
Are Texas wildflowers dying out from Portland, TX
I am doing a school project on whether or not wildflowers are dying out in the state of Texas or not. I need to find a specialist who specializes on this subject. Could you help me??? Please contac...
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Sinton, TX
Wasps on live oaks from Sinton TX
Wasps on my live oak trees. What is attracting them? Does this hurt the tree?
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Sinton, TX
Leaves of non-native crape myrtle browning in Sinton TX
Crepe myrtle – tips of leaves are brown and curling up.
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Port Aransas, TX
Comparisons of King Ranch Bluestem and Kleberg Bluestem grasses
Regarding your answer to a question from Wimberly Tx on November 17 2007 about KR Bluestem: Many people confuse King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) with Kleberg Bluestem (Dichanthium annulatu...
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