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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| When to stop mowing Habiturf for seeding from Austin November 14, 2012 I planted a native Habiturf lawn in my back yard last spring/summer and it is doing very well. The how-to mentions allowing the turf to seed out once per year to help maintain the lawn. Is there a bes... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Male pollinator to produce berries on Juniperus virginiana from Amston CT November 08, 2012 We have planted 3 juniperus virginiana 'Glauca' (on our Connecticut property) that have a few blue berries on them. Will they need a male pollinator to make berries? We do not have other juniperus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grasses for horses in Austin October 27, 2012 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants We just bought 4.5 acres in Travis County off HWY 290. We have 3 horses we keep on it but there is very little grass in the pastures. What is the best type of grass to seed ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Revegetating a hillside in western Washington state October 10, 2012 Removing several downed trees across my dock demolished the native plants growing on the hillside and the contractor pulled out their remains. The area faces east on an open freshwater bay. Close to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Keeping a Texas Madrone alive from Belton TX October 01, 2012 I have found a supplier of a Texas Madrone and have been wanting to grow one ever since our family vacation to Big Bend NP. My question is how do you have success with this tree? Many people say it is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Seeds of Meremia dissecta from Austin September 30, 2012 I have a large quantity of seeds of Merremia dissecta that I acquired from plants growing in the parking lot of the San Antonio Museum of Art. (Hmmm… I wonder if it's called alamo vine because of som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Removing St. Augustine for natives in Grapevine TX September 29, 2012 We have St Augustine in our yard and we hate it. It guzzles water, we have to cut it often, and it's thick and hard to work with. Anyway, we want to replace it with a combination of some kind of g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for book on Mimosa pudica from West Palm Beach FL September 07, 2012 Where can I find the TickleMe Plant Book -the guide for growing the sensitive plant mimosa pudica seeds?This is the plant that plays dead when touched. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Texas Mountain Laurel to transplant to Dallas August 29, 2012 My daughter would like to incorporate a tree planting ceremony in her wedding in Texas. The seedling would be planted in a pot for a few years and later transplanted in a yard when they buy a home. Wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Baptisia from Lancaster OH August 24, 2012 My Baptisia has gone to seed. When can I plant these seeds? Do they need strat? (zone 5) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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