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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Soil Loosener/Pollinator Plants for Houston August 11, 2014 I am trying to establish a mostly-native pollinator way-station in a recently purchased lot in a 100 year old neighborhood in Houston. Much of the property has a thick layer of oyster shell four to si... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Making a pollinator garden August 11, 2014 Hello, I have a ditch right by my house and I want to turn it into a pollinator garden using native plants. My problem is, right now it's so full of weeds that we have to mow those down so soon. For ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas August 10, 2014 Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When does Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) go to seed in southern US? August 06, 2014 When does Bouteloua dactyloides go to seed in the southern United States, mainly Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Groundcover for a wet hillside in the San Juan Islands July 30, 2014 I live on Orcas Island in WA state. We have a place on the water and want to plant something that is no taller than 2-3 feet, lower if possible, on a hillside. The hillside gets lots of sun, yet als... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Can Habiturf™ be hydromulched? July 28, 2014 Our lawn was originally planted with "Weeping Love Grass" seed by hydromulching. After 7 years we still have some bare spots. Other types of grass have infiltrated the lawn and that does not matter... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native grasses for organic farm in Elgin TX July 22, 2014 Hi there, I am working to restore native grasses on our certified organic farm in Elgin, TX. We raise eggs, grass fed beef, and grass fed lamb. I am having a terrible time finding organic pastur... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mowing Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) July 05, 2014 Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants, Although I see you have posted some information about mowing Buffalograss it doesn't seem to answer my question. Will it hurt to mow the buffalograss flags off? Will t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Habiturf care from Plano TX July 03, 2014 Five weeks ago, we planted a Habiturf lawn in our back yard. The grass looks great and is already about 6 inches. I have two questions to solve before we do the front yard. We have lots of purslane m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting creeping phlox for a groundcover June 13, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Southwestern PA (zip code 15065). I have a small slope on my property that is hard for me to mow. I would like to cover it with creeping phlox, which I saw on t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Using Pensylvania Sedge in Dover, DE. June 11, 2014 Regarding Pennsylvania sedge, I am thinking of planting the sedge along our driveway, which is under trees and not reached by our sprinkler system. Across the driveway, there is lawn. Is it likely tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Advice about buffalo grass lawn in NW Arkansas June 10, 2014 I am determined to grow a native buffalo grass (bouteloua) lawn in Northwest Arkansas. My question is this: I am considering mixing an annual rye into the bouteloua seed mix for the purpose of quick, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought tolerant grass for small lawn from Woodbury TX June 07, 2014 Trying to establish small lawn area, needs to be drought tolerant, water wise. Have tried Turffalo with poor results. Recommendation please. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Herbicide on Habiturf from Austin May 31, 2014 Can you recommend an herbicide that is safe to use on a Habiturf lawn? I followed the directions to put in a new Habiturf lawn about a month ago. The grass seedlings are doing well in places, but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How does Habiturf spread from Walburg TX May 19, 2014 How does HabitTurf spread? - by seed only? - when/how often must you let it go to seed to insure a permanent stand? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fast-growing ground cover for creekside May 18, 2014 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. I live in Austin Texas and am looking for an aggressively spreading ground cover or grass to plant along a small creek on the back of my property in order to help with soil er... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Muhlenbergia dumosa safe for horses from Austin May 13, 2014 Is Muhlenbergia dumosa safe for horses? Will horses eat it? I have a client who has a mini-horse who visits her property on occasion, and I want to ensure that what I plant is both safe for the hors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with Habiturf in Austin May 10, 2014 I have been trying to establish a Habiturf lawn in my back yard. It is approximately a 1,000 square foot area and this last seeding was the third over about one and a half years. I just recently over ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Erosion Control for a Shaded Slope in Aliquippa PA May 07, 2014 What plants. shrubs or trees can I plant to retard soil erosion on a steep shaded hillside in PA View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Control of invasive sandburs in Austin May 05, 2014 My attempts to control / eradicate Sanbur with pre-emergent corn gluten twice yeary for the last three years have been unsuccessful. My post emergent pulling weeds for 15 years has also been unsucces... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Want to replace lawn in Ecorse, Michigan. May 04, 2014 Hi! I want to replace my lawn, and not have to mow it much at all. What would you suggest? It will be walked on and utilized as a normal lawn. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ground cover to control hillside erosion in Illinois May 04, 2014 I have seen some other questions regarding native plants for erosion control, but I am looking specifically for plants that will do well on a hill in partial to full shade. I am told the soil in our a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for farm animals from East Greenwich RI May 03, 2014 What type of perennial flowers and shrubs are safe to plant around farm animals (dogs, horses, chickens, turkeys) in New England climate? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shade tolerant plants for erosion from Austin May 03, 2014 I live in Austin and my house backs up to Shoal Creek. I am looking for a native creeping vine or something that will grow on the shaded bank to help prevent erosion. It should be able to tolerate the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Perennial ground cover for hillside in Holmdel NJ April 25, 2014 I live in NJ. I would like to use a perennial ground cover for my landscaping bed on a hill with full sun and deer resistant. It's a good size landscaping bed that is facing east (southeast). What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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