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
China Grove, TX
How to prune wild mustang grape vines.
Now that my mustang grapes are harvested. When can I trim them out of the tree top and redirect them to an arbor where I can reach them next year?
The main vine is at least 3" across. The vines from...
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Converse, TX
Wheelchair access to the Wildflower Center from Converse TX
Hi. I hope you can help. I've written two emails to the Contact Dept but to no avail in receiving a response. I wanted to know if wheelchairs can access the flower fields and the trails? I get the fe...
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Universal City, TX
Pruning Texas Mountain Laurel
How much can I prune a 10 year old mountain laurel to re-shape it and when?
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Cibolo, TX
What is a lawn broom from Cibolo TX
Concerning gulf muhly grass you mention using a lawn broom to get rid of the dead stalks. What is a lawn broom? What does it look like? Where can I purchase one?
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Cibolo, TX
Late winter pruning of native Texas Sage
I have several Texas Sage bushes that have started to get very woody and have growth only on the top. This seems to have led to a definite listing to one side.
Should I trim these to the ground or...
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Cibolo, TX
Problems with Texas Ash in Cibolo TX
I have a Texas Ash tree I planted two years ago. The tree was 10 feet high with thick foliage. This spring the leaves started falling off after I spread fertilizer on my yard. The end of the branches ...
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Cibolo, TX
Rust-colored spots on Lantana?
Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Cibolo TX and my lantana plants are about 3 years old. They have done exceedingly well until this spring. The leaves have developed brown, rust colored spots and the le...
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Cibolo, TX
Brown spots in St. Augustine grass
Mr. Smarty Plants, My husband and I are in the Air Force and were recently moved to Cibolo Texas. We built a home and hired a landscaper to finish the yard May 07 (with irrigation system). We laid d...
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Cibolo, TX
Bluebonnets planted in late spring bloom, will they bloom again?
New to South Texas & we decided to plant bluebonnets around our house. The seeds were planted in late spring & we were delighted to watch them start their initial growth-cycle. They ultimately produc...
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Elmendorf, TX
Age before blooming of a Fendler rupicola from Elmendorf TX
How old does a Fendlera rupicola plant have to be before it will bloom?
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Elmendorf, TX
What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like?
What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? Do you have a picture?
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Elmendorf, TX
Picture of Castilleja purpurea
Can you tell me what the seedling for Castilleja purpurea looks like?
Or do you have a picture?
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Elmendorf, TX
Propogating snowbells from Elmendorf TX
Is it possible to propagate Styrax platanifolius and Halesia diptera from cuttings? If yes, what is the process?
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Elmendorf, TX
Viability of Lupinus havardii seeds from Elmendorf TX
I have been able to grow several Lupinus havardii (Big Bend Bluebonnet) and they are now making seed. Is there anyway to determine if a seed is good or bad for this plant?
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Elmendorf, TX
Are Prunus minutiflora male and female flowers on different plants?
I have a Prunus minutiflora and have recently learned the male and female flowers are on separate plants.
How can I determine if I have a male or female plant?
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Elmendorf, TX
Is Asclepias purpurascens a Texas native?
Is the Asclepias purpurascens a Texas native plant? If so where does it grow?
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Elmendorf, TX
Propagating Silky Sophora by seed from Elmendorf TX
I have some seed for the Sophora nutalliana. What is the best way to germinate this seed?
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Elmendorf, TX
Will Fragrant Ash grow in Bowie County TX?
I live in south Bexar County in very fine deep sand. Will the Fraxinus cuspidata grow in my soil and temperature?
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Elmendorf, TX
Texas native peach from Elmendorf TX
Does Texas have a native peach tree that grows wild?
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Elmendorf, TX
Source for seeds of New Mexico locust from Abilene TX
Is there a place to buy Robinia neomexicana native to Texas or order seed from Texas grown plants?
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elmendorf, TX
Propagation of Limonium limbatum
I have a Limonium limbatum but do not know how to propagate the plant. Can you help with this?
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