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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| Japanese maple in New York August 15, 2008 I have a few questions: Do you know what zone Brooklyn, NY. is in? If I plant a Japanese Maple in my backyard, do you think it can tolerate almost full shade (1-2 hours of sun per day)? Also, is it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf drop from maple tree in Minnesota August 15, 2008 I have about a 30 ft maple tree in my yard, last fall I trimmed it pretty good because the branches were getting low where you could not walk under it or get grass to grow. This is the 2nd time in abo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper watering of cedar elm trees in Sachse, TX August 15, 2008 I've just planted two Cedar elm trees in clay soil, each about four inches in diameter, and I want to water them correctly. I'm aware that too much water can be bad as well as too little water. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy hedge for South Dakota August 08, 2008 Hi, I'm looking for something to use as a hedge. 8 foot or so tall offering semi privacy all year. I like dogwoods but loss of leaves in the winter makes me skeptical. Boxwood would be interesting... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible webbing bark lice on oak tree August 08, 2008 We live near the Center and have a large live oak tree in our yard. Recently the lower trunk has been covered with thin, white weblike material (not sure if spider web). What could this be and is it d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deciduous tree with tap root August 04, 2008 I have a 13 foot space between two town houses and would like to plant a slender deciduous tree up to 30 feet in height with a tendency to tap root so as not to disturb the foundation of the houses. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are poplar trees and willows safe for animals to eat August 04, 2008 poplar trees and willows, are they friendly for farm animals to consume leaves? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree resembling live oak, but with thorns August 04, 2008 I'm trying to ID a tree in our backyard, most of our trees are Live Oaks and the tree in question has a dark almost black and gray bark that looks just like a Live Oak. The leaves are similar but lig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on weeping willow August 03, 2008 We have a 4 year old Weeping Willow, 12+/- ft. tall and this week the leaves are starting to become yellow. This willow is full and robust in appearance, best it's ever looked. We have 2 other Wee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tulip tree with white spots on leaves in Mississippi July 31, 2008 I have a tulip tree in my yard that blooms in the spring that is about 10-15 years old. However just this past week or so we have noticed that there is lots of white spots on the leaves and the branc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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