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 | |
| Pruning of non-native oxblood lilies from Austin March 27, 2014 My Oxblood Lilies flowered quite late last Fall. Their foliage is still very green. Can I cut it down now or do I have to wait until it goes brown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comments on previous answer on non-native invasives from Raleigh NC March 27, 2014 https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7827 This answer is incorrect. Please have someone review it to remove the two invasive species you are encouraging people to plant by calling them nati... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How many Bamboo species are native to North Carolina? one March 27, 2014 I would like to know how many bamboo plants are native to North Carolina? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why is Common Horehound missing from NPIN? March 27, 2014 Hi there, I am not able to find Marrubium vulgare, i.e. Common or White Horehound, in the Native Plant Database. It grows abundantly on our ranch in Central Texas, and I am attempting to grow i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating kudzu from Richmond KY March 26, 2014 I live in Richmond KY, Kirksville area. I have noticed that Kudzu has started to grow in my patch of land next to the creek. How can I get rid of this before it becomes a big problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Type of clumping bamboo for outdoor planters from Plano TX March 25, 2014 What type of clumping bamboo can be grown outdoors in planters in Dallas,TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native turf grass for Austin March 24, 2014 I am installing a xeriscape landscape in my yard. It will be in full sun and I am looking for an alternative to turf, such as monkey grass. However, I am concerned about the light. Suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower Center work on non-native, invasive Bastard Cabbage from Austin March 20, 2014 Still have cabbage weeds that infiltrated Austin awhile back. How did Wildflower Center resolve it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of non-native, invasive English Ivy from Davidsonville MD March 19, 2014 Just moved and need to rid the well established Ivy planted on the steep slope area around the back and side of the house as it is taking over the bushes on the top and trees in forested area at botto... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When will non-native Confederate Jasmine bloom in Austin March 03, 2014 I have 2 large Confederate Jasmine plants growing in 3 gallon pots on either side of an arbor I built for my friends wedding. The wedding is in 1 month and I'm wondering if this jasmine typically bl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sheet mulching before planting Habiturf from Grand Prairie, TX March 03, 2014 Have you tried sheet mulching as a bed prep and to kill bermuda grass before planting habituff? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Damage to Yucca rostrata from Nottingham, England February 26, 2014 Hi, I have a yucca rostrata which has had its head snapped off in high winds (we live in Nottingham, England) we have left the trunk in the ground, will this re grow?? What is the best thing to do wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Mimosa pudica poisonous from Janesville WI February 21, 2014 I have just recently learned of Mimosa Pudica also known as the sensitive plant. I see using the USDA website that it can be found in the USA so I think that covers the North America aspect. I have b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification February 20, 2014 I'm not sure of county of origin. It was given to me by someone I no longer have contact with. When I initially received it I thought it was just a small potted vine of some type. I've had it a yea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive thistles in wildflower field from Dripping Springs TX February 17, 2014 How to get rid of "native" thistles.. I have a large natural field that used to grow a variety of wildflowers, but in 2011 and 2012 it was taken over by thistles. I'm sure they are "native" Texas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is non-native mascagnia macroptera poisonous to animals from Hockley TX February 17, 2014 Is Mascagmia macroptra (Butterfly Vine) poisonous to animals (horses and dogs)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native eleagnus from Jesup GA January 17, 2014 An elderly farmer has told me about a plant called Alley Agnes, but I can't find any plant by this name anywhere. He doesn't know another name for it, says it's what everyone has always called it i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Help with non-native plants in California January 14, 2014 I am growing some beads of pearl in my front yard in front of a pepper tree that has been around for over 150 years. My question is what can I do to get my beads of pearl to grow without cutting down ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native citrus trees from Mesa AZ January 13, 2014 We have one valencia orange tree and one naval orange tree in our Mesa, AZ yard. Just noticed some oranges on both trees have a 1/4 inch diameter hole through the skin and the orange fruit and skin a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of bamboo-like plant in California January 10, 2014 We just bought a house in Cambria, CA. The plant I'd like to ID grows like bamboo -- spreading fibrous stalks abt 6' high with beautiful orange blossoms that protrude out the top of the stalk. The... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of non-native pothos for outside wall from Las Vegas NV January 05, 2014 I am in Las Vegas, NV. I live in a cottage-style apartment so I have a north facing porch with no one on the west so I get some there (and have an inherited cactus probably a yard all round) I would ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Thoughts on non-native Italian Cypress in Austin January 01, 2014 I would like to know your thoughts on growing Italian Cypress trees in Austin Texas? We are looking to create a privacy screen(and prepared to pay more for mature trees to cut down the wait to grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of mystery plant in non-native commercial forage mix December 17, 2013 Dear Smart One, I use a commercially prepared, fortified, chopped forage based on a mix of orchard and Timothy grasses. The bags are shipped in from out of State. However, I have been finding short s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Advisability of growing Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) November 26, 2013 I just received a load of clay-mix-dirt - and after our recent rains noticed the pile sprouting what looks like "Milk Thistle." Lots of them. The leaves are spiny and variegated - quite pretty. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wintering non-native liriope spicata indoors in Chillicothe IL November 08, 2013 I live in zone 5, zip 62523, wintering liriope spicata starter plants in basement, ambient consistent. Do I need grow lamps or is the plant satisfied being dormant as long as I do not let it dry out? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |