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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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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Insect attack on bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) May 30, 2008 Something is attacking the bur oak that was planted in 2007. Insects are not on the leaves, but the edges of some leaves look chewed back. Others look brown around the edges. Do you have any idea w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wispy plant to put behind a waterfall May 30, 2008 Needing a 10-20ft wispy ______ to plant behind our waterfall to help block out road noise. We live in Austin. I've looked at the Mexican weeping bamboo but are there other options? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bark problems on Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore) May 29, 2008 I got home today, after two hot sunny days, and found that one of the sycamores (street tree) planted last year (3-4" caliper) has vertically split and peeling bark on the south side of the trunk (la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pruning of Bauhinia lunarioides May 29, 2008 I have a Bauhinia variegata..when is the best time to prune it? it tends to grow horizontally..where do you clip off the limbs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will a Norfolk pine survive winter in Houston May 29, 2008 If I transplant a Norfolk pine in the summer, or when is the best time, will it survive the winter growing in Houston Tx? Can you give me some suggestions for fast growing vines facing the front of my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native trees for small backyard in California May 28, 2008 I have a small backyard and very close to my neighbor. I want to plant trees that grow 15/20 high that can work as a screen although I have to be very careful with invasive roots. Also I have two sma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Placement of lemon cypress tree in Miami, FL May 25, 2008 Where is the best place to have a lemon cypress tree? indoors or out? Presently in south Miami climate, Scott's potting soil, clay pot, with good drainage. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mountain ash seedlings in Yorkshire, England May 25, 2008 Is there any way I can stop Mountain Ash from seeding in my garden. This year in particular, I am absolutely overrun with the seedlings and once they get a hold they are difficult to remove. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen groundcover under pine tree in NY May 23, 2008 Hello! I live in upstate NY. I'm trying to find an evergreen ground cover to plant under a pine tree. I believe it's a white spruce (but I'm not postive). I've read conflicting information reg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Citrus trees for Austin May 21, 2008 I am looking for citrus that grows in the Austin,Tx area. Could you offer any suggestions please? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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