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.
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?
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
| topic | question | |
| Trees and shrubs that are not poisonous to horses September 23, 2008 What non poisonous trees or shrubs or hedges would work for being near horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of Viburnum dentatum to produce berries in Maryland September 20, 2008 I planted several Viburnum dentatum shrubs in a hedgerow for my yard. Although I have some other viburnums in the yard, this shrub blooms profusely but does not ever produce berries. What can I do t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Living fence of native plants for Ojai, CA September 20, 2008 I would like to build a "green fence" about 10-15 feet tall. I live in Ojai, CA where we have VERY hot summers and it goes below freezing every winter. The soil does not seem to drain well..it is e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of Hamelia patens in Laredo September 19, 2008 I have a question regarding Hamelias patens(firebush)that I have been trying to grow for 2 years. I live in Laredo, Texas and this area should be an excellent climate for this plant. I planted 12 of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting shrubs on a rocky slope September 13, 2008 I need to plant a rocky slope, facing south and west, to cut down erosion. Other than creating terraces, are there tricks for securing individual shrubs or trees to a slope when planting? What plant... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to combat weeds growing in mulch September 12, 2008 Trying to decide on either ground cover plants, or some type of gravel. We have a new house where the builder has planted small shrubs in the full sun flower bed next to house. The bed has mulch at th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of Actaea simplex in Washington State September 07, 2008 I have a Actaea simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty' that I planted in mid August 2007 in a partial, almost full shade spot. This year it came back , but the foliage is brown with dark and light green a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on Betonyleaf thoroughwort September 04, 2008 I purchased Conoclinium betonicifolium (Betonyleaf thoroughwort) at the spring 2008 LBJ WC plant sale. I've not been able to find much information on the plant in the typical places, including the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping help for Gilmer, TX September 01, 2008 We have just moved to the beautiful hot state of Texas from warm California and we need some help! Our roses are dying, we have a patch about 25ft. by 3ft. that gets the rain run off like a little str... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems on mock orange plant in England August 20, 2008 I have a small mock orange plant that is about 3 years old. It is currently in a 12 inch plant pot in full sun. It bloomed beautifully this year but the leaves on both the new and old growth are start... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |