Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members 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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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Problems on mock orange plant in England August 20, 2008 I have a small mock orange plant that is about 3 years old. It is currently in a 12 inch plant pot in full sun. It bloomed beautifully this year but the leaves on both the new and old growth are start... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can orange trees be grown in Albany, CA August 17, 2008 Can we grow an orange tree in Albany, CA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Japanese red maple exposed to full sun August 16, 2008 I planted a Dwarf Japanese Red Maple tree about 3 yrs ago. Until about a month ago it was partially shaded by a massive chestnut tree, that has since been cut down. Now the new growth on my tree appea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winter care for non-native ice plant in Virginia August 15, 2008 I have an ice plant in my garden and it is doing very well. What would be the care for winter. Ground seldom freezes, temperatures mostly 20 but can get in single digit occasionally. Very little snow ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper watering of cedar elm trees in Sachse, TX August 15, 2008 I've just planted two Cedar elm trees in clay soil, each about four inches in diameter, and I want to water them correctly. I'm aware that too much water can be bad as well as too little water. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification August 15, 2008 My father-in-law received seeds from a friend-- he didn't know what kind of plant it would grow. Now he questions what kind of plant it is-- it has a red stalk and 17 inch leaves, it appears to grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of non-native vitex August 10, 2008 I am interested in propagating a beautiful big vitex tree. Can I do it from seeds or what is the best way? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of Lantanas August 06, 2008 Here at work we have 4 beautiful yellow Santanas(should I say had), the leaves have started to turn brown and no longer blooming. Appears to have a fungus or disease. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is Andropogon saccharoides? August 06, 2008 I am reading Roy Bedichek "Adventure with a Texas Naturalist" I came across a reference to sage grass (Andropogan saccharoides)p. 23. I searched the data base and didn't any infromation abou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Loss of leaves on yaupon in Austin August 05, 2008 Last winter I planted a Pride of Houston yaupon. Currently, the leaves at the tips of its stems are green and healthy, but the leaves along the stems are turning dark brown and falling off. Does... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are poplar trees and willows safe for animals to eat August 04, 2008 poplar trees and willows, are they friendly for farm animals to consume leaves? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants native to Bexar County, Texas July 30, 2008 What types of edible plants are native to Bexar county? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification July 29, 2008 I have found what resembles a gooseberry growing from what appears to be a grapevine trellising on a fence beside a lake in East Texas. The stems are smooth and slender, nad as I stated before vine up... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to get rid of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) July 28, 2008 We have an enormous stand of japanese polygonum that we are trying to get rid of. What soil type is the most inhospitable to this aggressive and highly invasive species? Were thinking of planting so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with flameleaf sumac (Rhus lanceolatta) July 14, 2008 My Flameleaf Sumac appears to have an insect infestation in the bark which oozes a sappy sticky substance. This has apparently caused one of the limbs to die. Will it kill the whole plant and is there... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning blue potato tree (Lycianthus rantonnei) July 14, 2008 I wrote earlier about a blue potato tree(Lycianthus rantonnei) the top appears dead but if you break a branch it is still green, what would happen to it if I cut all the branches forming at the bottom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen native replacement for liriope July 13, 2008 What is a good native replacement for Liriope that is evergreen? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf burn on hydrangeas July 11, 2008 What causes my leaves to burn on my healthy hydrangeas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Catalpa and maple with dying branches in Wisconsin July 07, 2008 We have a northern catalpa in our front yard. It's been there for about three years now and is probably 25' high. This year it appeared to be doing great. It flowered and then all of sudden last ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failure to bloom of tropical plumeria July 04, 2008 I have had my plumeria for the past five years. The first three years it bloomed but has not the past two. The plant is healthy and continues to grow but will not flower. It seems to be very health... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on non-native Betula pendula July 03, 2008 I live in Puyallup, Washington. I purchased and planted a weeping birch on June 21, 2008. For the first few days all seemed well and the tree seemed to be settling in to its new home. Less than e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for purchase of native Parkinsonia aculeata July 01, 2008 I would like to buy a Jerusalem Thorn Tree plant. I will purchase seeds if plant is not available. Can you tell me where I can purchase either? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom in hybrid lantana June 30, 2008 I live in Austin and have planted the newer lantana varieties which bloom with orange and pink flowers.They have been planted in full sun and get watered 2 times a week for about 15 minutes.They do no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Selection of trees for new home June 30, 2008 We are moving to Roanoke, Texas(Denton County) into a new home. Our home will have 3 trees which we can choose. They are Texas Ash, Live Oak, Sweetgum, Silver Leak maple, Cedar Elm and Bradford Pear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 25, 2008 Identification of woodland plant in a rual area ? we have bears britches and another plant simaler, but the leaves are flat and smooth, each leaf is on a seperate stalk and each plant has 3 stalk... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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