Native Plants
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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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| Looking for an evergreen vine to grow on trellis as a privacy screen July 11, 2015 Hello, I'm looking for an evergreen vine to grow on a free standing trellis. It is used as a screen on our back porch, so ideally we would not like to use anything that flowers due to the insects ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for plants for phytoremediation in Columbus, TX May 27, 2015 Hello! I am looking for native Texan phytodegrading/rhizodegrading plants (basically I want phytoremediating plants that could be left in place and not have to be removed/disposed of after they had ta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible Plants of Florida April 06, 2015 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants My name is Gabriel Bedoya; Im anthropologist, with large experience in research of traditional culinary, symbolic systems and native kitchens. Due to my experience in those s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruiting times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Norhwest December 30, 2013 I am looking for information on fruiting/seeds/nuts times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest. Obviously they fruit after they bloom but all I can find is very general information such... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants of Texas Coastal Bend beaches November 27, 2013 What plants are native to the Texas Coastal Bend beaches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin October 01, 2013 I have learned so much from this site! Thank you! I am getting Married this March and I am hoping to use Texas wildflowers for the centerpieces. I hope to grow them in containers indoors and have the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting shade-tolerant ground covers in New York September 10, 2013 Hi, I have seen some of the posts for shade-tolerant ground cover on the east end of Long Island and my question is process related. Now that I've identified the grasses/plants I need to keep my fro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Large-scale container garden for New York City August 17, 2013 I am a community volunteer in NYC who is trying to help a non-profit set up two large container gardens (about 3 feet high by 4 feet long by 2 or so feet wide). The problem is that they want natives,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Photographing and Identifying trees of Long Island June 01, 2013 After being in a car accident I got into photography as sports are a distant memory due to my injuries. As a new hobby I thought of taking pictures of trees and then finding out their species name. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for dotted blue-eyed grass from Saluda SC February 23, 2013 I lived in Texas for several years and now live on acreage in South Carolina. I have heard that bluebonnets don't grow well in South Carolina. However, there is a place by the road near our house t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dyes from native North American plants November 29, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been working as a textile designer for many years and am now interested in harvesting native North American plants in order to create natural dyes. Which plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcovers for Kingsland TX October 11, 2012 I am looking for a list of native ground covers and grasses(not lawn grass). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for book on Mimosa pudica from West Palm Beach FL September 07, 2012 Where can I find the TickleMe Plant Book -the guide for growing the sensitive plant mimosa pudica seeds?This is the plant that plays dead when touched. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant in Kentucky with fuzzy grayish-green leaves September 03, 2012 I would like to know about a plant that I do not know what it is. I had this plant just come up in my flowerbed, that looked like a tobacco plant but the leaves looked like a lambs ear plant. It was ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL August 17, 2012 I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-inv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of the mass fields of yellow flowers in North Texas March 23, 2012 Are the mass fields of yellow flowers we are seeing in north Texas now likely to be Indian Mustard (brassica juncea) or Charlock (brassica kaber or sinapis arvensis)? We are teaching a wildflower ide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling Rapistrum rugosum (annual bastardcabbage) March 09, 2012 The invasive, Rapistrum rugosum, seems to be especially ubiquitous this year. I communicated with Dr. Mark Simmons a few years ago regarding his research, which indicated that over-sowing wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reducing Allergens in Yards and Gardens January 31, 2012 What are some allergen-free native plants to Central Texas that thrive in the soil and can survive in the weather? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Early wildflowers for PA November 25, 2011 What spring wildflower is the first to bloom in Erie, PA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Nativity of Lantana camara and Strelitzia reginae November 08, 2011 I was wondering why Lantana Camara is not in the Wildflower's database. Multiple sources say it is native to the U.S. and North America. I was also wondering if Strelitzia reginae (Bird-of-Paradise... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning non-native oleanders September 28, 2011 I have an oleander that has become to "leggy". I read the pruning instructions, but where I want to prune, there are not any leaf nodes. Can I trim below at the base, or will I hurt the plant? I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Abutilon fruticosum (Indian mallow) seeds September 24, 2011 Do you know anyone who has Abutilon Fruticosum (Indian Mallow) seeds for sale? I would love to grow the Indian Mallow, but can't locate a source. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of tree with strawberry-like fruit in North Carolina September 24, 2011 While visiting Boone, North Carolina we walked the Greenway in town. There were a few trees with a round red fruit similar to a strawberry. They were about the size of a penny and a dull red color dot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native North American bulbs August 19, 2011 I saw your list of 4 lilies native to the Northeastern United States, which was very helpful. What other bulbs are native to North America? Although I garden in Connecticut, I am interested in learn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Common name of non-native Senna corymbosa (Argentine senna) July 16, 2011 I just had a plant identified as Senna corymbosa. Can you tell me whether it's a Texas native and what its common name is? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More information about Trillium in New Jersey June 23, 2011 Hi, Nan. FYI. The Trillium seeds in question came from the State of Alabama. If you have an interest in seeing photos of this Trillium and two others in my garden, which are different and which I be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for non-native St. Augustine in San Antonio May 26, 2011 I have a large oak tree on one side of my front yard. St. Augustine grass does not grow there because of the shade. What do you recommend as a replacement for the St. Augustine? I would like to send... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to tell the difference between native and European thistles April 19, 2011 How can I tell the difference between invasive (European) thistles and thistles that are native to Texas? And what is the best way to eradicate the invasive varieties? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Nothoscordum bivalve (crow poison, false garlic) really poison April 02, 2011 Your Native Plants Database notes that False Garlic (aka, Crow Poison), Nothoscordum bivalve, is poisonous. Many other sites also state this, but I have been unable to find a reference giving specifi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stabilizing a steep slope in KY March 31, 2011 We are building a new home and have a very steep hill behind the home. Our highlift operator just cleared it off - I would say about 15 to 20 feet in height and at least 150 feet in length. What wou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Taxonomic question about Viola missouriensis and Viola affinis. March 28, 2011 I have tentatively identified a violet as either Viola affinis or V. missouriensis. However, the pages for those species are dated 2007 and 2009, respectively, in the NPIN, while it read... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indoor Lantana Care from VA December 28, 2010 I have a Lantana plant. When I moved it inside, it was fine. Then I watered it too much. Is it possible to replant( to dryer dirt) in the winter time. Is has been in the 30's here, but inside 68. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rain Garden plant for N. Mississippi March 03, 2010 Rain Garden Plants for North Mississippi/Mid-South Region. I wish the search parameters included plants which tolerate seasonal flooding and droughts, so that each state might search for its own r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying a plant/weed blooming in Feb. in Texas February 24, 2010 Can you help me identify a flowering plant I have found growing in my yard? It is a tiny green plant most months of the year, with very tiny deep to pastel blue flowers on it in early spring ( it is i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Update on Wildflower Center's Turffalo plot February 11, 2010 Hi, I was wondering if you can provide an update about the Turffalo grass installed at the Wildflower Center? The last update was June 26, 2009. We are investigating options for a lawn in South Aus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Caterpillars on young bluebonnet plants in Comal Co., TX December 29, 2009 Due to much needed recent rains our bluebonnets are coming on beautifully. Today however when looking at what I thought was frost damage noticed caterpillars that start eating from the center and work... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant groundcover for sunny hillside in California November 17, 2009 we are looking for a deer resistant, drought resistant ground cover that we can grow from seed. we have a large,partial sunny hillside, well drained,that is cover with oak leaves and pine needles..and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Clearing up the nativity of so-called Baltimore sedge (Carex senta) November 12, 2009 Dear Smarty Pants: Hi, did you ever get more clarity on the Carex senta issue (baltimore sedge)? Whether or not it was a wetland grass? I too am in Maryland and was thinking of planting it for a law... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for trellis in Livermore, CA October 29, 2009 I am looking for a native vine for a northern California location. It's Livermore California with a climate intermediate between the SF Bay and the Central Valley. Some frost in the winter. Maybe 10 ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rose varieties for Alabama October 26, 2009 What climate and soil types will Rosa Rogosa, a plant that grows in MA, require? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will the blooming stalk of my century plant eventually tip over? Yes June 24, 2009 I have a century plant in bloom. Will the stalk eventually tip over? Would appreciate any Internet references on the subject. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing and planting Yucca and pups in New Mexico June 23, 2009 I bought a Yucca plant and had 7 plants in one planter 1 large and 6 small. We wanted to split up the plants so we carefully separated them and planted them. My soil is very sandy (Rio Rancho) but I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Red and black bugs on hibiscus June 19, 2009 I can't get your Keyword search to work.. I have tiny red and black bugs on my hibiscus. I have tried 2 different garden sprays and neither seems to kill the tiny bugs. They barely move on the pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Life span of the century plant (Agave spp.) June 17, 2009 I have a beautiful century plant that is blooming. what will happen once the bloom is done? What is the life span of the plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Soapberry; monoecious or dioecious? May 26, 2009 I have a soapberry (Sapindus saponaria L., I believe) tree growing in my yard. I planted it 3 years ago hoping for soapberries, but have not seen any yet. It has flowered each spring, but has not set ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling Pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) in British Columbia March 10, 2009 Hello, I am emailing from the west coast of Canada, Vancouver, and I have a plant question regarding a species you have listed on your website. We have recently discovered Pontederia cordata L. Pi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing tree for Houston January 19, 2009 Please suggest me fast growing tree like Eucalyptus for Zip 77099 to protect building with its shade. I understand Eucalyptus is not good for our area and is flammable. Any other with similar fast gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Preparation of site for wildflowers in Missouri December 04, 2008 I have 1/2 lb of wildflower seed I would like to plant in the next couple days. the directions say to rid site of all weeds, do you have a suggestion of how to rid my site of thistle? Sow and canadian... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees and shrubs that are not poisonous to horses September 23, 2008 What non poisonous trees or shrubs or hedges would work for being near horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Night-flowering plant that blooms every five years September 20, 2008 What plant flowers every five years at night? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed) July 28, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, After much online research, my property has been invaded by what I believe to be Persicaria polygonum punctata, more commonly known as dotted smartweed. I have tried hortic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Buffalograss for Houston July 08, 2008 Will 609 buffalograss sod perform well in Houston, Texas? I am being told that it will yellow and get filled with weeds and that it won't handle the humidity. Is this all true? Help, please. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poisonous plant in Ohio with hydrangea-like flower June 09, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I was sure that I had read that there is a poisonous bush that is native to Ohio that has flowers something like a white hydrangea..or was it queen ann's lace? I believe the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglassii) native June 02, 2008 Could you give me some information about Douglas maple? Moslty, I'm trying to find out if this plant is native or introduced to Idaho and/or U.S. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for East Texas school gardens May 19, 2008 I am a teacher in San Augustine, Texas (which is in the Eastern Pineywoods region). I have started an outdoor classroom/schoolyard habitat at our school. We are in the process of planning our plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do Salvia coccinea and Salvia occidentalis occur in Hawaii April 27, 2008 Aloha, Would you please happen to know if the salvia occidentalis and the salvia coccinea are growing in a wild state in Hawaii, the quantity (small or large areas? What are the weather conditions ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a vine with thorns and blue berries. April 22, 2008 > Hello, > We have acreage in Butler County, PA. I recently discovered a vine that I can't identify. It's has many small spines all over the stem, then very large and stiff thorns. It has dark gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida. February 04, 2008 Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| The most common wildflower in North America January 16, 2008 Hi Mr. Smartyplants, What the most common wildflower in North America? My friend thinks it's the oxeye daisy. Is this correct? I work for a puzzle publishing company, and am doing research for a them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for common names of plants in the United States January 16, 2008 Hello Mr. Plants! I am writing to you on behalf of Carol Sharp who is one of the leading plant and flower photographers here in the UK. We will shortly be making her collections of work availab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of Ecuadorian penco century plant December 17, 2007 I was recently given a Penco, Century plant from Ecuador. It doesn't seem to be doing well. Two of the leaves have turned dark, then yellow, and died completely. Five remain, one seems to be dying as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about the wormvine orchid, Vanilla barbellata November 27, 2007 Hi My name is Santiago I'm from Puerto Rico and discover this Vanilla orchid in the forest, this orchid is V. barbellata var. alba? You have some information of how identify the V. barbe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of plant known as mosquito plant (Agastache cana) October 11, 2007 I received some seeds from an annual plant that came from Bowie, Tx. It has square stems, like mint plants, medium size leaves turns purple when in the sun and had a strong odor when brushed against. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native alternatives for Japanese maple September 05, 2007 Hi, I am a landscaper trying to create a landscape in a shaded area with no sun. The person likes a Acer palmatum, but I am not sure it will grow there. We live in South Lake Tahoe. So I know of some ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Slow flowering wisteria May 09, 2007 We have a young wisteria growing on the side of the house. It began to flower this year for the first time. Whereas my neighbors' wisterias all bloomed in February, ours has only begun to bloom in mi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing of fronds on Sago Palm March 27, 2007 Our Sago Palm now has all yellow fronds from the Winter frosts. Should they be cut off? Will the plant grow new fronds from the bottom to replace the ugly looking ones that are there? And why do I se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native sedges for Texas March 07, 2007 What can you tell me about Texas Blue Sedge? What its true name and culture requirements? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for purchase of native Salvia texana February 23, 2007 Good morning, Do you or do you know someone who carries Salvia texana? It has been impossible for me to obtain this beautiful Native Texan. Please respond at your earliest convenience with infor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source of Rosa foliolosa for Zilker Gardens, Austin February 19, 2007 We're looking for a specimen plant of Rosa foliolosa and I am hoping you can direct me where I can purchase one for the Vee Fowler Native Texas Herb Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care and propagation of Kentucky Coffeetree December 22, 2006 I found a tree on our property in Missouri, after some reserch I found that it is a Kentucky Coffee tree. I collected several of the pods and would like to know how I can plant them to grow. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of Cockspur Hawthorn as Crataegus crus-galli September 05, 2006 What is cockspur hawthorne? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for seed of Utah native Asclepias labriformis January 08, 2006 Hi there, I am looking for seeds of the plant "Asclepias labriformis" which is native to Utah. Can you help me to find seeds from this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on edible and poisonous plants June 06, 2005 I am trying to gather information regarding edible and poisonous plants in Utah's Salt Lake City area. Can you help? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locations where non-native Mimosa trees grow May 23, 2005 Where do mimos trees grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of growing oak-leaf hydrangea in Comal County, TX January 08, 2005 In the last issue of the magazine, there was an item about the oak leaf hydrangea which stated the plant's habitat is east of the Mississippi River. Can it be grown in Comal County? Any special nee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on Isocoma pluriflora January 07, 2005 I would like to know when isocoma pluriflora (rayless goldenrod) blooms in the Santa Fe, N.M. area. I'd also like to know its height. Other info will also be appreciated. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of American Bittersweet December 29, 2004 Will American Bittersweet grow in Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for Salvia greggii, Teresa December 09, 2004 My mother is trying to find a specific type of salvia that is pink and white striped. I haven't been able to find any information on it. Does it exist and if so, where can I find it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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