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 next >> 
69 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page


topicquestion
Deer Resistance Input from Northern VA
June 22, 2016
Hello. I live in the deer infested woods of Northern VA. I am always looking for plants that deer have little interest in to cover other plants. The deer generally have little interest in mints (Py...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia.
October 12, 2015
Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Oyster Shell source in Austin
September 18, 2015
Hi, I was not sure who to reach out to, but I work for Quality Seafood here in Austin, and we have several gardeners who take our old oyster shells and grind them up or put them in their gardens for ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Kudos for Barbara Medford's answer
November 05, 2014
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants (say, should it not be Ms!), No question, just a correction. Please correct my rating from 3 to 5 stars for Barbara Medford's response regarding impatiens, dated Dec. 8, 2007...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
July 02, 2014
Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is not a native U.S. plant. It was introduced to the U.S. from Europe and is now considered invasive in many parts of the western U.S. It invades our forested wild land...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

User's comment on nativity of Beggar's Lice from Austin
May 20, 2014
I think you were off the mark telling somebody that "beggar's lice" is a Texas native. According to Wikipedia, Torilis arvensis is an invasive species native to Eurasia. Cheers!
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Question about commercial product from Austin
May 19, 2014
Do you carry AquaSmart Pro? There was an article in today\\\'s Statesman about some Sun City people using AquaSmart Pro to save water on their lawns. I am always skeptical about such panaceas. ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Retention of essential oils by Ashe Juniper wood from Austin
May 03, 2014
I am looking for information on why local Austin Juniper/Cedar trees are so great at retaining essential oils for aromatherapy. I make pendants for necklaces out of our local fallen cedar trees and ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Synchronized blooming of cutleaf evening primrose from Brookshire TX
April 29, 2014
I have cutleaf evening primrose (grandis) that puts on such an enchanting show, opening every evening in late April, precisely at 8:00 , that guests sit in chairs to watch the spectacle. Incredibly, ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Highway construction in wildflower areas from Kingsland TX
April 22, 2014
I see no other link to contact about this, except for you. Maybe you can direct me. I just drove Hwy 281 South and a lot of road construction is being done. For many years that I've noticed, there ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Comments on previous answer on non-native invasives from Raleigh NC
March 27, 2014
https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7827 This answer is incorrect. Please have someone review it to remove the two invasive species you are encouraging people to plant by calling them nati...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

User comment on native grass mixes from Robstown TX
March 21, 2014
As a followup to my question on seed spreaders, native grass and prairie seed mixes seem a good fit for my location in far western Nueces County which is more semi-arrid than 30 miles away in Corpus w...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Response to previous answer from Ft. Worth TX
November 07, 2013
What email can I respond to Barbara Medford QUESTION:
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Correction of tree name from Bay Point CA
October 16, 2013
The tree should of been Mulberry don't know how it was changed!! Tuesday - October 15, 2013 From: Bay Point, CA Region: California Topic: Non-Natives, Cacti and Succulents, Trees Title: Non-...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Comment on previous answer from Austin
October 15, 2013
Ms Bradford, You just answered my question about St. Augustine grass.. actually, you didn't answer it.. You said "sorry, wrong number". Very funny. I think you misunderstood... I would rather no...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Responsibility for tree limb removal from Kenosha WI
August 02, 2013
Who is responsible for tree limb removal. Tree limbs are growing in between power wires and are also breaking about to fall. Im renting a house in Kenosha, Wi. Landlord has done nothing.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Support for non-native, invasive Nandina Domestica from San Antonio, TX
July 09, 2013
I consider nandina domestica to be a perfect plant for San Antonio, but see that it is on the list of invasive plants for surrounding eco-areas. How should I respond regarding one of my favorite land...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

User comments on soils from Austin
July 02, 2013
You had a question this month about chlorosis in a Mexican plum in Bellaire. You correctly, in my opinion, answered that the problem was most likely overwatering. However, I just wanted to point out a...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

You are welcome
May 25, 2013
Dear Mills, You are right. My elm has elm finger galls. Thank you
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Native replacement for bamboo from Houston
May 21, 2013
I've read one reply where you do not advise using Bamboo as a privacy fence plant. What do you suggest in its place? The suggestions on the one I read will not work for me. Your suggestions were My...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are agaves really native from Pacific Palisades CA
April 30, 2013
I just replied re agave issues, and mistakenly asked the source of your information. I see that you clearly noted it, apologies. I would note, however, that the Riverside area is very much a hot,...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Clarification of question from Pitcairn PA
April 23, 2013
What is the best site and book for wild stables in Pennsylvania?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Foxglove safety from England
April 21, 2013
Hi, regarding safety of foxgloves grown near edible plants - foxgloves are good companion plants for vegetables, in case of root vegetables they improve their storage life and quality. Foxgloves prote...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Agarita suggestion for Houston area
March 05, 2013
Another possible plant for the following question is agarita. The question: "Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Ro...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Comment from user on Smarty Plants answer
February 12, 2013
Dear Mr.S I received a very thorough answer to my question about trimming native butterfly plants and wanted to thank you. I see that Ann Van Nest answered the question. I intended to give the reply...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 next >> 
69 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page