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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| Small drought-resistant shrub for northeast Texas June 23, 2009 I am replacing the formal hedge of hollies along the front of my house and was planning to use mostly Inidan Hawthornes, but now I'm reading that they are very prone to disease, are there any low gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub for pot in Manhattan June 23, 2009 What is the best evergreen shrub or waxy leaved woody evergeen plant to use in a large concrete container in front of a doorman building in manhattan. Our building faces west and is directly on Rivers... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-poisonous evergreen shrub for Houston playground June 19, 2009 I would like to know what type of small bush or shrub would be appropriate to plant in a children's playground in Houston, TX. It will be located in full sun. I would like it to retain its leaves yea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub that does not attract birds in Michigan June 17, 2009 Does a "Center Glow" ninebark have seeds? I want a shrub that does NOT attract birds! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Savannah Holly plants in Friendswood, TX. June 17, 2009 I have planted 4 savannah hollies in front of my house, two on the left of the door and two on the right. If you are standing in front of my house and looking at the door, the sun rises at the back l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How will my Texas Mountain Laurel survive clay soil? June 09, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants: I live in a new neighborhood (brownfield site) in Central Austin where the developers have put fill in the yards. After not much more than 2 inches of topsoil you encounter fairl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Colorful shrubs for Kansas June 02, 2009 I would like to plant some bushes or shrubs on the front side of our house which faces east. I would like them to grow 5' tall and provide beautiful color or blooms. What would be best for my locat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning of wax myrtle in St. Augustine FL May 30, 2009 How severely can we prune our wax myrtle? It had grown 10 feet tall and very spindly and we want it to be a border hedge in front of the preserve in back of our yard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Green Cloud purple sage in Buda TX May 30, 2009 I planted the "Green Cloud" variety of purple sage about 3 years ago. Yesterday, I noticed yellowish dots on the underside of the leaves of some plants. Is this harmful? The plants seem to be ok ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Further information on Melochia tomentosa in San Antonio May 29, 2009 Information in your database is limited for Melochia tomentosa. I would appreciate any further information you can provide such as requirements for sunlight, soils, water,etc. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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