Native Plants
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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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| Burning back Gulf Muhly instead of trimming from San Antonio December 19, 2011 A few years ago I noticed that the Center burned back its Gulf Muhly rather than cutting it back. Did that study result in any conclusions or recommendations? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Due to drought is pruning live oaks beneficial from Houston December 07, 2011 Would it be beneficial (presuming a continued spring drought) to prune live oak trees more severely than usual this winter? I'm thinking that it might help them to have less mass to support. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native Podocarpus macrophyllus in Ft Worth TX November 12, 2011 I know this question does not pertain to a native plant but I've spent too much time not finding an answer to my question. I have many mature Podocarpus macrophyllus bushes at my house I purchased in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Safe branch length of oaks in Clayton NC November 06, 2011 I have 2 very large oak trees in my yard and I am concerned about the length of the branches over the house and driveway. Most seem larger than 4" in diameter. What is a safe length for these branc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Time to trim oak trees in Austin October 29, 2011 We have several large oak trees in desperate need of a good trimming. Given that the trees have had a very stressful drought year, when would be the best time to trim them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning tips for Texas Mountain Laurel. October 09, 2011 Towards the end of May, I planted some Mountain Laurel seeds in pots. They are about six inches high now and starting to branch out. Do I need to trim off the leaves on the main stem below the branche... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sun loving plants for flower bed by the pool in Weatherford Texas October 03, 2011 We have a 40' long x 2 1/2' wide flowerbed along our pool. It is in full sun with the pool deck across the front and a 6' privacy fence across back. Also, the level of the bed is 18" below the l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacing non-native boxwood in Austin October 03, 2011 I have a large maze garden, possibly boxwood, originally planted in the 1950's, in Austin, Texas. About 1/3 of it has died out, probably due to drought, heat and age. Should I attempt to replant ju... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning non-native oleanders September 28, 2011 I have an oleander that has become to "leggy". I read the pruning instructions, but where I want to prune, there are not any leaf nodes. Can I trim below at the base, or will I hurt the plant? I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sad Germanders in Johnson City Texas September 16, 2011 I have some grey bush germanders that never seem to do well although they did at first when I planted them four years ago. They have sun and dappled shade on the south side of the house. A friend in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning live oak shoots from San Antonio September 10, 2011 I am new to TX and am curious about removing suckers/water sprouts from my Live Oaks. Everything I've read about pruning Live Oaks states that you must paint ALL cuts, so I assume that all means al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Damage from Hurricane Irene in Burgaw, NC August 27, 2011 We live in Burgaw, NC and have begun the clean up efforts of Hurricane Irene which has made a full grown crape myrtle lean to one side. Its a very large tree and it is not uprooted. Is there anyway ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Pride of Barbados from San Antonio August 26, 2011 I have some very successful wildly blooming "Dwarf Pride of Barbados" plants growing in my xeriscape garden. Each year I cut them back to the ground. I have just purchased a new variety called "... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dead portions on oak tree in Hutchinson KS August 22, 2011 I have an oak tree on the property I just moved into. One tree is healthy, the other has a dead side or almost dead. It did have some new green leaves on the dead branches but not many. What should... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning time for Lonicera sempervirens from Pflugerville TX August 08, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, When does the Wildflower Center prune its Lonicera sempervirens? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to remove plume from Yucca elephantipes in NJ? August 02, 2011 In Manahawkin, NJ, how do we cut plume (2" diameter) off 10' Yucca elephantipes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Liatris spicata through blooming from Norman OK July 26, 2011 We have a Liatris spicata, I thought it was done blooming (dried tops), so I cut them off. Will it come back and bloom again? What can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cutting back perennials in PA July 25, 2011 Can you pinch back echinacea in the spring to produce a shorter plant? I have some that get too tall and fall over. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree with no invasive roots for Los Angeles July 24, 2011 I have a large in ground planter sharing the outside wall (on south/east corner) of my house in east LA 90032. I would like to find a tree that grows quite tall (2 story building), but grows roots ver... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning smooth azalea in NJ July 12, 2011 I have a Smooth Azalea growing in my woods. It was verified by the Master Gardeners of Burlington County New Jersey. It's 12 feet tall and lanky. Can it be trimmed in hopes of thickening up? If s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to prune wild mustang grape vines. July 11, 2011 Now that my mustang grapes are harvested. When can I trim them out of the tree top and redirect them to an arbor where I can reach them next year? The main vine is at least 3" across. The vines from... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning a non-native Hinoki cypress from Denver NC July 08, 2011 Hi! Our painters have asked that we trim the Golden Hinoki Cypress back from the house. The tree is about 20' tall, beautiful and healthy. Since it is July and therefore, HOT! I'm wondering how t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need some help with my Mexican Bush Sage in Rockport, TX. July 07, 2011 My Mexican bush sage looks leggy,ratty and sparse. It's planted in full sun and was cut back to the ground in early spring. My soil is sand and I've watered it sparingly as we've had no rain. I'm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yucca blades damaged by weedeater in Hellertown PA July 05, 2011 Can I cut off the blades of a Yucca plant that have been eaten on the edges with a weed wacker and are very unsightly looking? Can they be cut back to the flower shaft? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of Salvia greggii from San Antonio June 29, 2011 We bought Salvia greggii at the Wildflower Center Plant Sale three years ago and planted them in a well drained area. We cut them back early in the year as recommended at Go Native U classes. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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