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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| Need suggestion for a replacement tree in Dallas, TX. January 23, 2013 We are going to have a 25' tall tree removed and ground out because every year squirrels chew the branches and make huge piles on the deck and into the pool. This continues for a good month 1.5. Hen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping from Wilmington NC December 22, 2012 I plan on moving to Belmont NC in the next couple of years and settling down with my future wife in her home town. I am a huge do it yourself person. I love to make things from scratch, including buil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butterfly plants from Austin TX December 17, 2012 I have a butterfly garden in the front part of the house facing the south side. However it is also mostly under a few Oak trees that cast shadow over half of the front yard starting early afternoon. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| pruning Chinkapin oak, Loquat and Monterrey oak trees December 07, 2012 What is the best time to plant a 45-65 gal. Chinkapin oak tree in Pflugerville. Also, when can i prune fig trees, Loquat trees and a Monterrey oak. Thanks for the information. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of rain, oxblood, and copper lily bulbs November 30, 2012 I have Rain Lily, Oxblood Lily, and Copper Lily bulbs out of the ground, that are putting out some green growth. I would like to plant them soon. Is it okay to plant now and in December, or do I hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Want a ground cover instead of St. Augustine to fill in gaps in stone pathway. November 19, 2012 I'm considering using Silver Ponyfoot (instead of St. Augustine) to fill in the 6" gaps between my 24"x24" cut limestone blocks footpath and patio. Do they run long that may cover the blocks, whi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Re-landscaping in Stephenville, TX. November 17, 2012 I prefer native plants. We are re-landsacaping, so I need grass, ground cover, vines and flowers to plant in our back yard. We have many trees and the whole yard is shady. A small area might be con... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Freeze-resistant palms for Central Texas November 09, 2012 I live in Lytton Springs just north of Lockhart. What is a good hardy palm that I can get that will grow without the worry of freeze? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. November 03, 2012 Took a cutting of a prickly pear cactus from my daughters garden in Harker Heights, Tx. Her plants are 5'ht.& wt. Set it into a 10" pot with garden mix soil. Early July 2012, brought it home to Long... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Live oak trees in Katy, TX. November 03, 2012 We are building a house in a neighborhood where the HOA requires two live oaks in the front yard. Our lot is pie shaped leaving a very small front yard once you take into acct the driveway and sidewal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Would like fast growing evergreen trees in Austin, TX. October 31, 2012 Hi, We're moving to Southwest Austin and would like to plant a cluster of pines (or cypress trees?) or other fast growing, large and tall evergreen trees. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestion for a tree with a tap root in Oklahoma City, OK. October 27, 2012 I would like to know the best tree to plant in my area that does well. Would like a tap root tree and also a tree that will not mess with my septic lines. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Feeding live oak and redbud trees from Fredericksburg TX October 23, 2012 Can you please tell me what to feed my live oak and texas redbud trees that survived the drought? We have granite soil. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When to transplant volunteer Cedar Elms in Cedar Park, TX? October 11, 2012 We have a number of volunteer cedar elms we would like to transplant. When is the best time to do this? Should they be potted first and later transplanted or transplanted immediately? Thanks. 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 | ||
| Need advice for planting Bur Oak saplings in Comal County October 09, 2012 We will be planting several bur oak saplings this fall in deeper soils in Comal County. How close should we plant them? What mortality should we expect? Thanks in advance for your assistance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants for under a black walnut from Lansing MI October 04, 2012 What native plants can you recommend that will grow in Michigan under a mature black walnut tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation information from Queens NY October 04, 2012 Hello. I would appreciate information on when to plant the following plants. I found on the USDA website that all these plants could withstand the cold. ALthough they can withstand harsh weather, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Splash-proof plants from Oakton VA October 01, 2012 Hi Mr Smarty Plants, Re: low, evergreen ground cover, Northern Virginia The bare soil around my freshly painted screen porch splashes up onto the white framing when it rains so I am looking for ... 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 |  | |
| Need a shade tree for an enclosed courtyard in Las Cruces, NM September 24, 2012 I HAVE A WEST FACING COURTYARD ENCLOSED WITH A 6' STUCCO WALL AND I WANT TO ADD A SHADE TREE. CURRENTLY HAVE SEVERAL MESQUITE TREES, DESERT WILLOW, CHINESE PISTACHE & VITEX TREES IN THE FRONT AREA ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of burned tree stump from Weir TX September 24, 2012 Hello, I am the community manager for Country Glen, LLC In Weir, Texas 5 miles north east of Georgetown Texas. Simple question I need to remove a large Arizona Ash that was burned buy fire I need th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need information about planting Red Maples in Houston, TX. September 22, 2012 I want to plant some Drummond Red Maples in my front yard. What cultivars would you recommend, and what is the absolute smallest amount of space possible between two of these trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting non-native sago palm and philodendron from Pflugerville TX September 15, 2012 I have a small/young sago palm and philodendron I'd like to plant. Do you advise to plant them now with fall/winter approaching or wait until next spring. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting buffalograss from Surfside Beach SC September 14, 2012 How do I plant buffalograss along a lake? Do I just spread the seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Varieties of Ceanothus suitable for Illinois September 07, 2012 Ceanothus Velutinus is the smell of western Montana, my home, to me, and I have relocated to Illinois. I miss it so much that whenever I go home I bring back a jar of ceanothis leaves and keep th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Disagreement on amending soil for planting from Austin September 01, 2012 In today's newspaper column, you answered a question about transplanting a redbud. You said to follow the instructions on the WFC web site, except you recommended adding compost to the backfill soil.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for a small tree for cemetery in NH. August 30, 2012 I would like suggestions for picking a SMALL tree for a rural cemetery in Winchester, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Would the delicate Japanese Elm be suitable for the weather, etc? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Moving plants for extreme drought from Greencastle IN August 23, 2012 In exceptional drought here in Indiana, I am looking at weeds that may become my next perennials! How do I move what my dad called ragged robins from the edges of roads. They are blue and could be wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need a good plant for Clayton, NC. August 23, 2012 What would be a good plant for Clayton,NC for this time of year. I would like for it to come back every year so I don't have to replant. I have several full sun areas that I need to cover in the fron... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Looking for a male Southern Wax Myrtle in Newport News, VA. August 20, 2012 We are looking to add more southern wax Myrtles to make a hedge row with them. We already have one in the ground that is a female. I have called around to see if anyone sells the male but i keep get... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for trees from Burnet TX August 19, 2012 I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia August 18, 2012 From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL August 17, 2012 I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-inv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pecan trees too close together in Austin August 14, 2012 There are two pecan trees in my central Austin yard. Each is four or five inches diameter at chest height and maybe 15 feet tall. They are within six feet of each other and their canopies interfere wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Oak leaf hydrangeas from Edwardsville IL August 13, 2012 Hello, I live in West Central Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) and I am considering planting several Oak leaf Hydrangea's in my yard. The location where I would like to plant them is und... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting American Beautyberry from Elgin TX August 04, 2012 A friend wants me to take her American Beautyberry shrubs that are in containers, because she is moving and can't take them with her. I have to transport them in the back of a truck and am afraid th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Muhly grass in late summer from Wimberley TX August 02, 2012 Can I transplant Muhly grass in July/August? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing butterfly weed as a girl scout project July 30, 2012 We have a group of girl scouts who want to sell 'crafts' at a farmers market. I am wanting to steer the moms and girls in a different direction. I was wondering if you think that butterfly weed woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with chile pequin from Pflugerville TX July 19, 2012 Hello there! I have a question about my chile pequin (Capsicum annuum L.) plant. I purchased it last year from the Wildflower Center Fall Plant Sale. It stayed in a pot until three months ago when I p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock in pecan tree in Garner NC July 19, 2012 I transplanted a pecan tree about 3 weeks ago & been watering it 3 times a day. The leaves are turning brown & crumbly before I water it. After I water it, the leaves are brown but I can scratch the t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX. July 16, 2012 I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast July 13, 2012 I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC July 12, 2012 I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants Swamp Rose Mallow, Southern Blue Iris, Soft Rush, American Bur-reed, American lotus, Woolgrass and Duck Potato Is it better... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Search for Silver Magnolia from Coram NY July 11, 2012 Hi, 20+ years ago I purchased a small tree labeled Silver Magnolia from a catalog. It was a sapling about 8 inches high when I first received it but amazing! The bloom the first year was as big as my ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of Live Oaks July 11, 2012 We have Two Young Live Oaks in the front of Our home. We had them treated for insects, ect. Now what can we do to make them Full Green and Happy Happy Happy again.Thank You View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Texas Mountain Laurel seeds in Horse Shoe Bay,TX July 09, 2012 I have harvested Texas Mountain Laurel pods and extracted the seeds from the pods. The seeds are characteristic red/orange/maroon. When is the best time and best method to introduce seeds into pots? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Kinnikinnick for a green roof July 04, 2012 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I live just north of Seattle and want to build a green roof (outdoor kitchen) I'm concerned about the weight of the soil (saturated), drainage etc. am building from scratch and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need help with Tulip Tree in Jacksonville,Florida July 03, 2012 I planted a 20 foot tall Tulip Tree last spring. The hole I dug was double the size of what the tree came in. The tree was doing well until we got tropical storm Debby. In the middle of the night t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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