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?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| California plants poisonous to dogs from Sacramento July 01, 2012 Found dodonea viscosa purple. Is it poisonous to dogs? Also Gold Star Potentilla. Going drought tolerant and need small trees, shrubs and plants not poisonous to dogs for sun and partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Safe grazing for donkeys and goats from Osteen FL June 30, 2012 I am having a very difficult time trying to find shrubs, hedges, plants, flowers, or trees etc. that are safe for donkeys and goats. We live in Zone 9 and have a small farm. I've had to pull every ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine non-toxic to alpacas and dogs from Fowler CA June 29, 2012 We have alpacas and would like to plant a flowering vine on a backyard fence that adjoins the pasture. We live in Central California so we have many hot days during the summer and would like a plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA June 24, 2012 I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant ID of unknown purchased plant from Boise ID June 24, 2012 Hi! I bought a tree that the sales person didnt know what it was. I thought it was a cherry tree and now after about 3-4 yrs I know it is but..How do I know if it is an ornamental tree or real fruit t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native vines poisonous to animals from Park Ridge IL June 18, 2012 I have a Star Jasmine and sambac Philipine Jasmine Plant . Are they poisonous to cats or dogs. I have them in the house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California June 16, 2012 What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is white sticky substance in the Mandevilla vine? June 15, 2012 When I was watering my Mandevilla one of the vines broke and there was a white, sticky substance that came out of the vine. I was just curious as to what that is. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Asclepias incarnata poisonous to dogs? June 13, 2012 Is Asclepias incarnata safe in a farm/yard with plenty of dogs running around? What happens if a dog eats the leaves or seeds or pods? Is eating any of these fatal to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with orange sap that glows at night June 06, 2012 I was just pulling up a plant and noticed that its sap was a kind of orange then I noticed it glowing orange at night. What kind of plant is this and is it dangerous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of catalpa wood? June 05, 2012 Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic? Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas May 29, 2012 What is the name of a poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can foxglove poison be transmitted to the soil and taken up by another plant May 29, 2012 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, Recently I discovered a Foxglove that had come up after being planted 2 or 3 yrs ago. Next to it I have some medicinal Feverfew growing. (They were so close together I suspec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD May 28, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reaction to something in the garden from Dowling MI May 25, 2012 In late March I was working in my yard raking etc. The next morning I had three black spots between my knee and shin that were swelling and feverish. Two days later the areas became bigger and began... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Purple Hyacinth from Sylvania OH May 21, 2012 I am wondering if I plant a Purple Hyacinth Bean vine seed under a tree and allow it to grow up the tree trunk, will it kill the tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing a Texas Mountain Laurel in Pennsylvania May 20, 2012 Can I grow a Texas Mt. Laurel in Lancaster, PA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for exotic pets May 14, 2012 I need to know what are some good native non-toxic plants for these species: Porcelain roach (Gyna lurida) from Kenya, Africa. Giant cave roach (Blaberus giganteus) from Central and South Americ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rash resulting from cutting trees in NC. May 08, 2012 My boyfriend was cutting some trees yesterday. He had thorns in his hands after he was done, and today he has a rash on his legs, a fever and he feels like throwing up. Can you tell me if its symptoms... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is wild foxglove poisonous to dogs from Liberty TX May 05, 2012 Is penstemon cobaea (wild foxglove)poisonous to pets, specifically dogs. I was thinking about adding this to my native Texan wild flower section of my backyard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need to find a place to buy Western Soapberry in Paris, TX. May 05, 2012 Where is the closest place to purchase a Western Soapberry tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| hummingbird attractants May 03, 2012 I live in Baytown, Texas and am looking for a variety of plants that attract Hummingbirds, but are also pet friendly. I have two dogs, so this is a major concern. I am putting the plants in my backyar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cenizo safe for consumption by parrots from Phoenix AZ April 30, 2012 Could you tell me if Cenizo, (Leucophyllum frutescens) branches and leaves can be fed to pets? (parrots)I read the leaves were often used for tea for humans, but can't find an information if safe fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Toxicity of barren strawberries April 30, 2012 Are barren strawberries toxic? . View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants poisonous to dogs from Marion TX April 24, 2012 Is the desert willow poisonous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees poisonous to horses from Landrum SC April 15, 2012 Please tell me if the following trees are poisonous to horses: hickory, beech, poplar, and redbud. Thank you very much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for Orange County, Florida April 14, 2012 I live in Central FL (Winter Park)and I have a small, mostly sunny (no trees) backyard next to a large in-ground swimming pool which fills up with the leaves of my neighbor's oak trees. The backyard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedgerow plants non-toxic to horses April 07, 2012 What would be a good, fast growing, hedgerow plant that is NON-POISONOUS TO HORSES? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sap from agave causing reactions from Edgewater FL April 06, 2012 Not only was I stuck with the century plant thorns and needle like ends when I was digging up its pups, but I also broke the carrot-like root of a few when I was transplanting and got the white sap on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub) grow near black walnut trees? April 01, 2012 Will Calycanthus floridus survive if planted near Black Walnut trees? If not, can you recommend a similar bush that will? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant for privacy hedge in Oklahoma that is not poisonous to dogs April 01, 2012 Hello! I am looking to put a privacy hedge fence in my yard. I love the look of American Holly, however, I have a dog who eats everything so I worry that this will not be a wise choice with the b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) poisonous? March 18, 2012 I need to know whether any part of Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is poisonous. Am thinking of planting it at an Elder Day Center for people with memory problems and the director insists - no toxic ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence March 15, 2012 I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Texas Mountain Laurel Honey Toxic in Fulshear, TX? March 11, 2012 Toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel HONEY I know the seeds and leaves of the Tx Mountain Laurel are toxic. But, is honey that comes from the Mountain Laurel toxic too? I heard that it is, but can'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Does Helasia diptera absorb toxic substances from Dover Plains NY March 09, 2012 Dear Mr. Plants, Halesia carolina is described as absorbing toxic substances: herbicides, pesticides and pollutants from water, air and soil. Does Halesia diptera do the same? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with shrubs by pool in Bethesda, MD February 24, 2012 We are trying to grow Otto Luyken Laurels by a pool and doing okay, some brown spots on leaves, but not many. Also have Arbivatea beside the pool about 3 feet from the edge of the pool. They have a l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wisteria and Non-Poisonous Native Vines February 15, 2012 I'm from central Texas and I'm wanting to plant a native vine that will work well around the public, mainly kids. It's a mostly sunny trellis that makes an arch. I'd like to plant the native Wiste... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic plants for horses in Virginia from Doswell VA February 13, 2012 Looking for a list of Non Toxic plants to horses in the State of Virginia. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are palm tree thorns poisonous? January 27, 2012 Almost 3 weeks ago I trimmed the fronds of my pygmy date palm. The tip of a thorn was stuck in my finger. I pulled it out. The side of my finger is still very painful and my finger is swollen. I c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is there a vine in Indiana with poisonous thorns? December 27, 2011 I was cut at the left big toe by a brownish/red thorny vine while tracking thru dry grass near the bridge exiting 278. I'm from Indianapolis, in 46208. Was wondering if I was exposed to a poisonous v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are buckbrush (coralberry) berries poisonous? December 20, 2011 Are the berries on buckbrush (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) poisonous to humans? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing non-invasive shrub for privacy fence in Sugar Land TX December 06, 2011 I live in South Texas in Sugar Land. I was going to plant oleanders in my backyard along the fence as a privacy hedge, about 20 feet from my house. However, I was told they were a bad choice becaus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| North American Plants with Poisonous Thorns December 01, 2011 Are there any plants in North America that possess poisonous thorns? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| poisonous landscaping plants in New Mexico November 21, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been given the task of finding non poisonous plants and shrubbery to add to our new children's playground. This is a Head Start playground so I have to make sure anything w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a cucumber-like vine with fruit November 16, 2011 We found tiny, grape-size white melon-like fruit on a vine, with tomato-like/cucumber-like seeds. The leaves on the vine were similar to grape or cucumber leaves, but not spiny. They were behind our... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How toxic are milkweed (Asclepias spp.)? November 01, 2011 We are considering a monarch waystation for our local elementary and are concerned about milkweed toxicity. Would it be safe to plant it in reach of children? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA October 29, 2011 No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs that non-toxic to horses but that they won't eat October 29, 2011 I am looking for a low maintenance, low water, green shrub that horses won't eat and will not be toxic to them. I want to hide my neighbors corral and keep down dust on my side. The horses have "l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lantana induced rash October 20, 2011 What should I use for a rash caused by a Lantana scratch on my arm View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| topic | question | |