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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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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Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House July 10, 2016 We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowering Shade Plant for California February 21, 2016 I have a house north facing that has a "flower bed" in front that unfortunately is shaded 100% of the time. There are roses in the bed currently (they came with the house) but they do poorly. We are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting October 04, 2015 I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Critter-Proof Native Plants for Virginia Lawn April 02, 2015 We live in a gated community that was part of the Wilderness Battlefield during the Civil War. Our home is on a narrow lot, fully treed except for a postage stamp-sized lawn at lake side. We have de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Companion Plants for Salix nigra in Texas April 02, 2015 I'm looking the list of companion plants as well as those that might not go well with Salix nigra. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Inspection of house plants moving to Florida December 02, 2014 Hi. I am hoping to move from Chicago to Florida any month at this time. I have a collection of house plants, does anyone know where I can get them inspected and certified so they'll be allowed into... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen that Grows to Three Feet in Michigan May 22, 2014 I have searched your site and can’t find what I need. I live in the middle of Michigan. I need a shrub that stays green year round and only grows to 3 feet or less. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Law against planting cottonwood in Madison WI October 08, 2013 I was told that there is an ordinance against planting cottonwood trees in Madison, WI. Is this true? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Moving plants from Texas to Florida September 27, 2013 Hi, I found your answer for the person traveling from Florida to Texas, I am going the opposite way. Do I need to have my house and yard plants certified by Texas Dept of Agriculutre? If so how do I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are wildflowers in Missouri patented? September 20, 2013 Are wildflowers in Missouri patented? If so where would I find a list of them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Neighborhood association wanting wildflowers mowed from Grand Prairie TX July 14, 2013 For at least 15 years, I have been fostering growth of wildflowers in 60% of my 90x400' yard which include 150' utility trunkline easement in which I can plant no trees. This year, we had volunteer ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trees prohibited or regulated in Albuquerque March 20, 2013 Are there certain trees that not not allowed to be planted in Albuquerque, New Mexico because of city regulations? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are drought-tolerant landscape plantings protected by Texas law? November 26, 2012 I was told that Texas has a law in regards to drought tolerant natives and Homeowners Associations. Do you know what it states and how one can find a copy of it? I got a notice from my HOA saying ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Patenting Flower Mixes July 12, 2012 Can a new, more beautiful combination/mix of certain wild flowers or the new use of some particular wild flowers for a particular style of gardening, e.g. for deer resistance or for alternative lawn o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers being mowed in Canyon TX June 03, 2012 Can I receive a letter from someone there to put up in our neighborhood? I live in an area very close to Palo Duro Canyon. A developer out here mows down the wildflowers along the one lane road. It ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD May 28, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Legal to mow wildflowers in HOA in Royse City, TX April 21, 2012 We live out in the country in Rockwall County, Texas. Is it legal to mow the wildflowers on our 2 acre lots? The HOA documents we committed to require the homesites to be maintained, but there is di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Can I move my Dwarf Orange tree from California to Florida? April 12, 2012 I am moving from California to Florida and have a small dwarf orange tree. Can I bring it with me to Florida? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transferring a palm tree from Florida to Pennsylvania from Reading PA April 06, 2012 Is it legal to transport a small palm tree (12" high) from FL to PA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Rescue of roadside plants in Ashe Co. October 27, 2011 I live in a wooded area off of a dirt road that is going to be widened and paved by the state. There are many native plants and shrubs growing on the side of the road in areas that will soon be pavem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Taking plants to Alaska August 31, 2011 I am moving from California to Alaska, can I take live plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Moving houseplants from New York to Florida August 02, 2011 We are relocating to Florida from New York and would like to bring our houseplants with us. Are there any laws forbidding indoor plant transport into Florida??? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is it legal to pick wildflowers from the roadside in NY? July 10, 2011 Hi, Is it legal to pick most wildflowers from the roadside in upstate NY? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possibility of transporting native seeds to Europe February 03, 2011 Hi, Is it possible to bring seeds for North American plants and wildflowers from the USA to Europe? I live in Italy and have many Italian friends who want me to bring seeds from America the next time ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
City tree ordinance information January 10, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am writing to you in regards to city tree ordinances. I am a citizen of Grand Prairie, TX. and although the city is a Tree City, the city does not have a tree ordinance. T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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