Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
<< previous 1 2 3 4 ... 16 next >> 
379 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page


topicquestion
Possible transplant shock in Red Oak in Albany, TX
October 20, 2015
We planted a new tree last spring which we were told was a Texas Red Oak. The soil where it was planted is hard clay. We have had a watering bag on it and have watered an average of 2x per week throug...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Will a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4' brick planter. pl
September 14, 2015
Would a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4'x4' brick planter with a drain at the bottom? It will get full sun all day. If not, would a Green Cloud Sage or a Waxleaf Myrtle work? Thanks!
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting wildflowers slated for destruction in Buda, TX.
June 16, 2015
TXDOT has recently informed our church that they will be taking a sizeable amount of natural area fronting a ranch road for lane expansion. We are devastated to lose an are we have planted and nurtur...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Why does newly transplanted Brazos Penstemon look bad
June 09, 2015
I bought Brazos penstemon from a nursery as well as several other drought resistant plants. I have noticed new buds on the salvia and blanket flower and changes in leaf color on the kaleidoscope, but...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Need to know about little brown spots on Texas Mountain Laurel
May 11, 2015
I have little brown spots on my Texas Mountain Laurel leaves. I can email you a picture if needed. What could it be and how can I help my little laurels work thru these spots? The texas mountain ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs in the Dallas Area
February 13, 2015
Is it OK to plant evergreen shrubs-trees in January or February in the Dallas, Texas area?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Horseherb planting in Richardson, TX
October 18, 2014
What is the best time to plant 4" pots of Horseherb?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Need help with century plant in Willis, TX
September 21, 2014
Ok so I have two gorgeously monstrous century plants in my yard..I love em BUT I don't know if the have ever bloomed but since I am removing pups as fast as I can during the rainy season I'm assumin...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting and Pruning Callicarpa
August 21, 2014
I saw the previous question about Callicarpa from the guy in Texas and I have two questions based on the response. In SW Vermont, is late fall still the best time to transplant my Callicarpas? Also, i...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting Ilex x attenuata (Savannah holly)
July 31, 2014
Is it hard to take a savannah holly out of my front yard? Do the roots grow down deep or are they more shallow? I can only take a 36-40 rootball circumference because of surrounding established shru...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplant time for small smoke tree from Battle Ground WA
June 01, 2014
When do I transplant a smoke tree that is still young, about a foot high? It is too close to a fence, which I fear will be a problem as it gets big. I live in Battle Ground, WA which is zone 6.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting American beautyberry in Cordele GA
May 19, 2014
Is mid to late May too late in the season to transplant Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Problems with transplanted Texas Madrones from Junction TX
May 13, 2014
We planted 3 little Texas madrones last year 9 - 12 inches high. 2 of them seem to have some kind of black blight along the edges of the leaves that I don't think was the result of our late freezes. ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting non-native crape myrtle in Scottsdale AZ
May 11, 2014
When is the best time to transplant dwarf crape myrtle in Scottsdale AZ?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Problems with non-native Banana Shrub from Houston
May 01, 2014
My 7' beloved Banana Shrub (magnolia) has white dots on top of the leaves and nasty black stuff covering the backside of the leaves. The plant is dropping leaves. What can I do to save it? I has bee...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Planting Mountain Laurel grown from seeds in Argentina
April 09, 2014
Hello, I was transferred to Cordoba, Argentina 2 years ago from San Antonio, the climate hereis similar to S. TX, anyway I brought some mountain laurel seeds with me and they have been in 2 gallon pot...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Native species of tree for Rockwall TX
March 19, 2014
Hello, I am attempting to plant a native species of tree 20 miles east of Dallas, Texas (Rockwall, TX) in honor of my brother's marriage. He is a biologist and a huge supporter of native species....
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Starting wild plant seeds indoors from Dallas TX
February 23, 2014
Is it possible to start some Phlox drummondii or other native wild flower from seed indoors, and then transplant to my garden? If so, can you suggest some?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting bluebonnets to garden from Columbus TX
January 30, 2014
Is it possible to transplant bluebonnets from pasture to garden and if so when is the best time to do this? Thank you
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Incorrectly planted anacua from San Antonio
November 22, 2013
I purchased a 12' anacua tree from a local nursery about 18 months ago. It was not planted correctly (root bound, rolled into a hole about 3" larger than the pot) but is still alive with the number...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting bluebonnets in late Fall from Georgetown TX
November 08, 2013
Transplanting bluebonnets in October? Neighbor wants to share abundance of rosettes and good size plants- any suggestions or warnings? Will freeze/frost protection be needed if we get December freeze...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Transplanting Indian Paintbrush in Corona CA
November 05, 2013
I have a very mature Indian Paintbrush Plant that was becoming too large for the area I had originally planted it in, so I transplanted it to an area much more suited for its size. I reviewed the que...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Wrapping a newly planted non-native Japanese maple from Fraser MI
October 01, 2013
Does a newly planted Japanese maple need to be wrapped in burlap for the cold and snowy winter of Macomb County, Michigan?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Time to transplant shade tree seedlings from San Antonio
September 28, 2013
What month do you transplant shade tree seedlings in San Antonio, TX<
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Failure to thrive of one Desert Willow in Phoenix AZ
September 06, 2013
We planted 4 desert willow trees in the summer and 3 of the 4 are doing excellent, however the last one is not not doing so well, it was the smallest of all and it started out fine but its leaves bega...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 4 ... 16 next >> 
379 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page