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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| Non-native, invasive, poisonous Chinese yam October 16, 2005 I found a vine in my yard [central Indiana] which I believe is Dioscorea oppositiflora and I wanted first to confirm my identification and second to find out about edibility [especially of the airborn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Care for Plumeria October 15, 2005 I have a plumeria that is getting too tall for my small patio. How I should cut it back and can start the cuttings into new plants? Does the original plant need any special care when it is cut back? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on fungal attack October 12, 2005 I have three plants that have been getting fungus on their soil and I've tried to get rid of it by scraping it off, watering it less and more sunlight. It's two coleus and a begonia. I don't know... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native and non-native Wandering Jew and Four o Clocks October 10, 2005 I am looking for information on 2 separate plants in my yard. The names that people have given me on what they are is as follows: Wondering Jew Four O'Clock View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Indian Banyan Tree October 06, 2005 I was given a Ficus benghalensis (Indian Banyan Tree) cutting, rooted in water. I need advice on how to plant it, what kind of dirt, best type of pot ie. plastic, glass, etc. The cutting is 1 foot i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, invasive Datura sprouting from compost September 26, 2005 Hi, I have a plant growing out of some compost we purchased this spring and no one can tell me what it is. It's about 4 ft. tall, the stem is maroon like rhubarb and it produces 4-5 in. tubular lig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) August 30, 2005 I am moving into a new home and have been told that the two plants in my front yard are called Hearts of Sharon. I need to know how to care for them and when and how to prune them so that they dont gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native or non-native hibiscus for Kansas August 13, 2005 I recently purchased a 10" Hibiscus flowering plant and would like to know how to care for it. How much water and sunlight does it need and how long I can expect it to live? It is a beautiful plant a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Pittosporum August 05, 2005 Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion. Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on dogwoods August 05, 2005 I am interested in the worldwide distribution of the dogwood family/cornus. Specifically, I am interested in whether or not there are indiginous species on the Indian Subcontinent. Is there a resour... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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