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 | |
| Prevention of algae scum on standing water December 16, 2007 Because your answer to a previous question has resolved an "issue" referent to proper care of our cordgrass plants, I'm back to ask your advice. The pond behind our condominium complex is man-ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Elimination of nutgrass from native flower bed October 14, 2007 Nutgrass!*#!* My new bed in NE Austin wraps around a hot sunny SW street corner. Grass wouldn't grow there [I wouldn't water it.] I removed the turf [mostly stickers] to a depth of about 4", carefu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating weeds from seeded wildflower stands June 25, 2007 We live in Eastern Central Texas in a small community on Texas Highway 7. Last fall, we went to the Wildseed Flower Farm near Fredricksburg and purchased a bag of mixed wildflower seeds and planted... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Management practices to eradicate Johnson grass September 02, 2006 Please suggest some eradication methods for Johnson grass. It is established in a field that I want to encourage native wildflowers/plants such as goldenrod, prairie coneflower, blue eyed grass, milkw... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disposal of bulbs to control Arrowhead aquatic plant August 29, 2006 How can I kill Arrowhead permanently? I have sprayed repeated years with Roundup, Crossbow, etc., but the arrowhead comes back from the bulb the next year! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Elimination of non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem in lawn June 06, 2006 How can I eliminate an annual infestation of king ranch bluestem in my bermuda lawn? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Methods of controlling poison ivy April 19, 2005 What do you suggest for controlling poison oak (ivy)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of invasive mints March 30, 2005 How do I remove common mint from my garden? I removed the previous years plants and tilled the soil. This year they came back more than before. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 10, 2003 Clover has taken over and just about covered the Bluebonnets. Is there any way of removing the clover such as with fertilizer or something else? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |