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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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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| Xeriscaping in clay on a slope in Fort Worth April 06, 2006 Xeriscaping in clay (Fort Worth) on a slope -- Please offer suggestions and publications. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants suitable for rock garden in New York March 26, 2006 I'd like to start a rock garden. The area is very rocky, the soil is shallow and it's partially shaded. I'd like mostly perennials that flower from spring to fall. I hope to make some purchases fr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low cost, low maintenance, water tolerants native plants for New Jersey February 25, 2006 I am planning a bed around my deck which will include shrubs and flowers. I am looking for plants that require a lot of water due to the wet soil conditions and poor drainage in my yard. Do you have... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting trilliums in dormancy in Michigan February 15, 2006 I live in Michigan. I have a Trillium in my yard and we are having a new septic field put in. I need to know if I can save the whole plant and can I keep it in the house or do I just need the bulb a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Local native plant for grave marker in Washington December 30, 2005 Dear wildflower expert, Our friend’s dog died, and is buried in western Washington, near the town of Monroe. My wife is from central Texas, and thought a Texas perennial would be a nice marker. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| General information on native Fendlers sandwort (Arenaria fendeleri) December 19, 2005 I am trying to locate any general information on Fendler's Sandwort. Any help will be greatly appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants December 19, 2005 I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of Florida Blue or Lisiantus in Houston October 24, 2005 I'm in Houston, Texas and I'm growing, for the first time, Florida blues, Eustoma, purple. Since I am from California I'm not familiar with this plant. It's beautiful. How do I care for them i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Habitats of pitcher plants October 16, 2005 Where do pitcher plants live? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hearty, bushy native plants for windowboxes in Abilene, TX October 08, 2005 I live in Abilene, Tx and am a horrible gardener. I would love to have window boxes with some sort of hearty bushy plant. Any suggestions, I'm at a total loss...? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping with native plants in Austin October 06, 2005 I'm expanding a flower bed in front of my house and would like to keep it all natives. 1) How do I find out what type of soil I should add? (I live near Hyde Park, Austin and haven't had a soil te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Monocarpic plants for Indiana October 06, 2005 We were in Hawaii this summer and became acquainted with the Silversword. This plant (according to what we were told) blooms only once in it's lifetime (of 50-70 years). Are you aware of any other pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Fan Scarlet-Cardinal September 02, 2005 I have a lobelia x speciosa (Fan Scarlet-Cardinal) plant and was wondering if I should dead head it after blossoming so that the plant continues to flower. Can you help? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on dutchmans pipe July 24, 2005 How do I care for and transplant dutchman pipe? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas native plants for cemetery site February 09, 2005 I am trying to landscape my mothers gravesite located in far East Texas (just outside of Nacogdoches) and I am looking for some evergreen bushes or any other decorative plants for that area. I am thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennial winter plants for Waco, TX November 03, 2004 I live in the Waco area, and would like to know winter plants that I could use that would come back each year, flowering or otherwise. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indian paintbrush wedding October 20, 2004 I live in western Montana and have become quite fond of the flower known as indian paintbrush. I will be getting married this next July, and would like to incorporate the flower into my wedding; Howe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Survivability of plants after freeze December 08, 2003 I have many beautiful plants that froze. Some were Lantana, Hummingbird Bush, Candlestick Trees, Esperanza, Some flowers, and Marigolds. I love all of my plants and flowers and I want them to grow bac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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