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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| Plants found only in the Edwards Plateau of Texas area March 23, 2008 I am new to Austin, Texas and I am working with a group of 4th grade Cub Scouts on their Naturalist and Forester pins and we need to know about and have pictures of at least 6 trees and plants only fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distinguish between Huisache and Goldenball Leadtree March 23, 2008 How do you distinguish between Huisache (Acacia farnesiana) and Goldenball Leadtree (Leucaena retusa)? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for Pflugerville, TX in blackland soil March 21, 2008 Mr. S-P, I'm perusing the plant sale list for a couple of tall shrubs to plant on the sunny southwest side of my house, in Blackland soil. It is generally dry there because of the sun, but can ge... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Denying cows access to flowers through fence March 20, 2008 What flowers can I plant that cows will not eat? They stick their heads through the fence and eat anything they can reach. I would like to plant something in the fence row that will not hurt the cows... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for city lot in Longview, TX March 19, 2008 Just bought a city lot in Longview, TX and want to put in some plants at the periphery even before the house is built. Can you recommend any that would be from your list of East TX plants that are pa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Viability of Texas Mountain Laurel in Louisiana March 19, 2008 I just returned from a visit to Austin and I saw the Texas Mountain Laurel everywhere. I live in the Baton Rouge, LA area and would like to know if performing some soil amendments would allow me to gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for a red mulberry tree (Morus rubra) to buy March 17, 2008 Want to purchase a native Texas Red Mulberry tree (morus rubra). Can't find one. Can you help? Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between liveoaks (Quercus fusiformis and Q. virginiana) March 17, 2008 I am a little confused on the identification differences between Quercus fusiformis and Quercus virginiana. How can you properly identify between the two? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Differences between smooth bark and rough bark Arizona cypress March 12, 2008 What is the difference between smooth bark Arizona Cypress and rough bark Arizona Cypress in terms of tree growth, form, foliage, etc.? Will one grow better than the other in the Waco area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Viability of Texas Mountain Laurel in Florida March 12, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants While visiting Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale we saw a beautiful Texas Mountain Laurel tree. What are the chances of this surviving in the Ft. Myers, Florida area. Either in t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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