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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| Apparent disease in peach tree in Austin June 12, 2008 I have a peach tree that the leaves are "bleeding" out on. The leaves are continuing to get paler and paler. There are no peaches on the tree this year either. What can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) June 09, 2008 How do I care for a Lemon Cypress tree? Does it require a lot of sun? How often should I water it? It is 18" high and I have it in a pot on my screen porch. Thank-you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seedlings of elm trees in Illinois June 09, 2008 I have what I believe to be young elm trees sprouting throughout my front yard. I will pull them up and over night more sprout and will be 5+ inches tall. I would like to know how to get rid of them, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Secretions of fluid from crepe myrtles June 09, 2008 On my crepe myrtle tree I have dozens of 1/2-inch-long narrow bugs that seem to secrete tiny drops of fluid. They appear on the branches of the tree. Are these harmful to the tree? Do I need to do ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best time to trim oak trees to avoid oak wilt June 08, 2008 When is the best time to trim oak trees? Concerned regarding oak wilt if cut at wrong time. Ball moss is not harmful but will it help or harm if trees trimmed. These are large oak trees. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native trees to replace dying Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina) June 06, 2008 I have two 25-30 year old Arizona Ash trees in my front yard, which I think are dying. They are the only shade my house gets, and I am dreading losing them. (They are massive and beautiful) What are m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruit on Mexican olive in Austin June 05, 2008 Does Mexican Olive set fruit in Austin? Does there need to be a male and female tree or not. How old does the plant have to be to set fruit? Mine is three years old but no olives. I need to know ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglassii) native June 02, 2008 Could you give me some information about Douglas maple? Moslty, I'm trying to find out if this plant is native or introduced to Idaho and/or U.S. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Ilex glabra Shamrock a female cultivar June 02, 2008 I have an ilex glabra "shamrock". Is it a FEMALE cultivar? I have only found information that the "compacta" and the "nigra" are females. I have a male ilex glabra and was hoping to have berrie... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fraxinus cuspidata (Fragrant Ash) May 30, 2008 Two part question: 1) Will fragrant (flowering; Fraxinus cuspidata) ash survive in Zone 7b? 2) Where can I get it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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