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?
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 | |
Slow flowering wisteria May 09, 2007 We have a young wisteria growing on the side of the house. It began to flower this year for the first time. Whereas my neighbors' wisterias all bloomed in February, ours has only begun to bloom in mi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Diamonds and Rubies plant (Lychnis coronaria) May 02, 2007 I recently purchased a plant from the Huntsville, AL Botanical Gardens at their annual plant sale. The name on the plant tag is "Rubies and Diamonds". No one at the Botanical Garden knew the scien... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cat deterents May 01, 2007 I was wondering if there is such a plant that will deter cats from going in your gardens. I have a problem with them using my garden as a litter box, and had heard that there was a plant that the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris) April 27, 2007 I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
About African Violets April 26, 2007 I have an African Violet. i clipped a leaf off and rooted it and i have a baby pink-leafed African Violet now, not pink flowers, pink leaves. It struck me as odd. i never saw one like this before. i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Invasive nature of non-native Zoysia japonica grass April 22, 2007 I have been reading up on Zoysia grass and I am curious about its invasive nature. Is there a good way to keep it from going into my neighbors' yards? I was thinking about using some edging material... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recovery of non-native star jasmine from freezing in New York April 22, 2007 Hello, I have a star jasmine plant that was left outside over the winter. Will it come back to life? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant replacements for non-native invasives in Austin, TX April 20, 2007 I live in Austin, TX, I have a large lot and small house. I want to do some selective planting on the back half of my lot. Currently there are large live oaks, cedar elm. hackberry, cedar, Texas persi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Yellowing of fronds on Sago Palm March 27, 2007 Our Sago Palm now has all yellow fronds from the Winter frosts. Should they be cut off? Will the plant grow new fronds from the bottom to replace the ugly looking ones that are there? And why do I se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Muscari neglectum image March 23, 2007 I am doing a school project and found a native plant on the native plant information network image gallery. It is plant NPIN Image Id 524. What is it's name? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |