Native Plants
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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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| Tree to plant on rocky soil in San Antonio March 10, 2012 I want to plant a tree in a particular spot in the yard but after digging down 10 inches I hit solid rock. I filled the hole with water and it took hours for it to go down. It is one of the higher e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree for a Missouri yard March 10, 2012 Our front yard tree died. We have landscaping that needs shade. We are in Zone 5, looking for a fast/medium growing shade tree that does not produce anything that falls into the grass and will allow t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Queen Palm Fertilization in Arizona March 06, 2012 I placed standard Miracle Grow in a root feeder device and inserted into the ground around all of my Queen Palms. Why have they taken a turn for the worse (furled tips on all new branches) Can you ov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with volunteer tree in Joshua TX February 15, 2012 I have a 'volunteer' tree which has been in our back yard for about 15 years. It has had the usual traumas, ie. lots of snow, ice, etc. but after last years drought, its bark is coming off and sev... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Plants for Galveston February 12, 2012 I'm looking for low maintenance, drought tolerant plants for Galveston, on the bay side, in a well drained area with morning sun. I was thinking of Phlox, Muhly grass, Lantana.....and I am looking f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Reseeding a dead lawn in Wimberley TX February 07, 2012 Our new house had a sodded lawn that now appears dead. There remains a layer of sandy soil as a part of the sodding process. Is there a way to reseed these existing slabs of sod and what process wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of bushes with red berries in Tennessee January 31, 2012 I was recently traveling thru Clarksville, TN and saw these bushes (at the shopping mall) that had clusters of small red berries on them. They were not a Holly that I know of. The leaves were not th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cutting back of non-native Salvia Elegans in Portland OR December 31, 2011 I did not trim back my pineapple sage in the fall. It is now winter and the plants are bare sticks. Should I cut them back or leave them alone? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Destruction of Straggler Daisy in Austin December 18, 2011 I hate Straggler Daisy. Not to be offensive, but it appears from other posts on this site that you, Mr. Smarty Plants, and many others would like to treat it as a protected species. It is taking over ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Large oak with possible Laetiporus fungus November 29, 2011 We have a huge oak tree in front of our new house. After the first rain this fall a large fungal growth appeared in an old knothole of the tree and I would guess that it is Laetiporus. A neighborho... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between Styrax platanifolius and Styrax patanifolius ssp. texanus November 18, 2011 What is the difference between a Styrax platanifolius and a Styrax platanifolius texanus? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to treat bark damage on oak tree November 15, 2011 I have an oak tree approx. 50 ft., live in austin, texas. the tree has dropped bark about 3-4 ft above ground, in a section of 4 inches by 8 inches, and the tree appears dark where the bark was. is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought affecting non-native Zoysia grass in Austin November 06, 2011 Due to the extreme drought here in Austin this year and the watering restrictions our Zoysia lawn has suffered and appears to be dead in many areas of our lawn. Will it come back? Is there anything w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does molasses make glutinous corn palatable from The Philippines November 06, 2011 What would be the effect of molasses in the growth of glutinous corn?? Does molasses make the plant palatable? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of plant similar to Lindheimer's senna (Senna lindheimeriana) October 27, 2011 I purchased "Lindheimer's Senna" at our MG plant sale in Williamson Co. two years ago. My three plants are now 6 ft. tall but I don't think they are Lindheimers. I've searched your plant files ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native lambs ears wilting in heat from Fredericksburg TX October 19, 2011 3 days ago I had professional landscaping done in an area with plants that tolerate heat & sun well. We planted 7 healthy, large lambs ear & mulched. Everything planted is doing well except the lambs ... 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 |  | |
| Has overwatering harmed cherry laurels in Austin? September 27, 2011 I am so upset. I know we've been having a terrible drought this year in Austin, and I've been trying to balance water conservation with protecting our recent very large investment for massive lands... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What variety of Opuntia is best for eating in Boerne, TX. September 26, 2011 Which variety of Opuntia, is best for eating the pads and which are the ones best eaten for fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut September 25, 2011 I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Watering practices for live oaks in drought from New Braunfels TX September 04, 2011 We have conflicting info about watering live oaks. An arborist says to water now using soaker hoses or small sprinklers and a landscaper who spoke to our garden club said that after August is too late... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Cahaba lily from Columbia TN September 03, 2011 My cahaba lilies have so many seed pods. I would like to use the seeds properly to grow more lilies. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about it? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Origin of sticky, smelly substance on dog in Southern California August 27, 2011 I just took my dog out (mid August) in Aguanga, CA (high desert) and, after coming back in, noted that his feet and legs were covered in a very sticky substance that STINKS - there is some kind of pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Antelope Resistant Plants for Casper, Wyoming August 12, 2011 What are some drought resistant, full-sun plants for Wyoming that are Antelope resistant - Deer are not much of a problem, but antelope are! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of tree on Kent State University in Ohio August 09, 2011 Hello. I am fond of a very large (wide) tree on a university campus in Ohio. I have tried many plant ID search engines to try to figure out what it is. It is at least 12 feet tall and at least that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A garlic plant with only one clove in Ft. Worth, TX? August 08, 2011 Is there a garlic that does not have cloves? I have been using what appears to be garlic from my garden and it is garlicy, hot and delicious. I have spent many hours online but cannot find this garlic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Chlorosis in sycamore in Kyle TX August 04, 2011 I'm trying to assist an elderly neighbor of mine with a plant issue. We have designated street trees in this community, our street being a Sycamore. The previous foreman out here called it a Mexica... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ants in outdoor plants in Austin July 30, 2011 Live in Austin. The problem is THIS. Ants have invaded our outside potted plants- mandevilla, begonia , lemon tree and violas. The colonies are devouring the roots it appears. Please give suggestions ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of chenille-like plant in Florida July 27, 2011 I live in Central Florida. I have a small, 8-10 inch plant that grows wild in the yard and has a 1 to 1-1/2 inch, bright red, feathery flower on it. I can't seem to find it on the internet and I'm ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant plants for Central Texas July 25, 2011 I live in a community that is overrun with deer, thanks to neighbors who feed them daily. I am looking for TRUE deer resistant plants for beds...they have eaten my lantana, salvia, esperanza, jasmine... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yard Trees for Burleson, TX July 24, 2011 We need to replace 2 mature pear trees in our front yard, north side of the house in Burleson, TX. We are looking for faster growing trees that will last for decades that resist disease in clay soil.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of a live oak with decay and perhaps fungus on trunk July 14, 2011 I have a huge live oak on my property in Salado that just lost a very large branch. The branch had decay in the center and also has a variety of bugs in it, espeically since it has been on the ground... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fragrant perennial plants for shade in Dallas July 11, 2011 I am looking for shade-loving perennial plants to provide fragrance in my garden. What plants would you recommend for my North Texas (Dallas) garden that is fully shaded by huge pecan trees? My curren... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wide appearance of Texas Bluebells in Hillsboro TX July 07, 2011 I thought Texas Bluebells were rare, endangered and liked wet places. So why, after at least a dozen years of not seeing any and during this horrible drought am I seeing them where I have never seen t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing tree for horse arena in Southern California July 06, 2011 I live in Trabuco Canyon, CA, and we just lost an old Sycamore in our horse arena. I would like to replace it with some thing that is fast growing, and will be able to withstand life around horses, o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystery tree in Ontario July 06, 2011 I found a tree (similar to an apple tree in blossom) in a shaded area by a stream on our property. I have never seen anything like it. It is again, like an apple branch with the blossoms, however, t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Petals not developing on blackeyed susans from Nashville TN July 05, 2011 I have an established "patch" of black eyes susans. This year, the leaves are beautiful, the centers black..but the petals are practically non existent. They didn't seem to develop correctly. Any... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of Campsis radicans in Elkins WV June 28, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, We live in a very cool climate of West Virginia, in the mountains, and it seems impossible for our Campsis radicans vines to flower! Perhaps the growing season is too short? W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will a gift yucca survive in Northwest Arkansas? June 28, 2011 Had received a yucca tree as a gift and wondering if it will survive in the ground here in northwest Arkansas. It has a complete tropical look compared to my regular yucca plants. I believe it's actu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots? June 26, 2011 Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots? I am setting up vines and plants around the aviary and would like to use this vine if it's not poisonous. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Species List for Ponca OK June 24, 2011 I planted daylilies in my Austin garden and did not do well. I moved these daylilies to my garden in Ponca City Oklahoma and have done outstanding relying only on mother nature's rain. My garden in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Something eating milkweed leaves in Austin June 23, 2011 I have some milk weed plants, and have noticed in the last few weeks that something is eating the leaves on them. The flowers are fine and no other plant appears to be bothered. I thought perhaps it w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for Spanish Dagger from Georgetown TX June 22, 2011 I have a Spanish Dagger plant in my garden which appears to be dying. Where can I purchase a replacement for this plant? The Spanish Dagger I have is close to 10 feet tall. What is the best way t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification in Parker County, Texas June 14, 2011 Hi. Growing alongside a country road, here in Parker County I photographed what I thought might be cardinal flowers. However, in searching books and on the net, I cannot find any quite like these. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native Potato vine from Morgan Hill CA June 13, 2011 Greetings from Morgan Hill. CA. I have moved into a home that has a fairly mature (10 years +/-) Potato Tree which has some blue/purple flowers but very few new leaves, it looks almost barren. It gets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disease in non-native globe willow from Morgan UT June 11, 2011 I have a globe willow tree that is a few years old but still a relatively young tree. It appears to have slime flux disease. It has 3 or 4 spots on the trunk where the foam exits and runs down the tru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groups promoting Edible Grasses June 08, 2011 Is there a group of people who want to study and grow edible grasses? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can Flame Acanthus grow in North Carolina, from Kinston NC June 05, 2011 Can I grow the flame acanthus (humming bird bush) in eastern North Carolina. If so where can I find it. Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for Bastrop TX June 01, 2011 I'm hoping you can help with this. Recently I have moved to Bastrop TX on what used to be Camp Swift military property. We have looked into planting grass and plants in the yard but discovered we hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Promoting growth on non-native dipladinias (mandevillia) from Point Pleasant NJ May 26, 2011 My Dipladinias were almost dead when I bought them last year, but after a little TLC, they blossomed like CRAZY in pots outside. They stopped blooming in November (I brought them into the house in Se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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