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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| Evergreen trees for Long Island, NY September 20, 2007 I live on across from the water on the north shore of Long Island. I would like the names of some hardy trees that are both native to Long Island and also NOT deciduous! I am finding it easy to find... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Control of live oak root sprouts, or suckers, under tree September 19, 2007 Have live oak trees in clusters with circular beds surrounding in frontyard. Have been invaded by some type weed that looks a bit like holly. Woody stem a few inches high with several serrated leave... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flashing barrier to Bermuda in tree bed September 16, 2007 I'm building a 6-ft-diameter planting bed on a gentle slope on blackland clay, at the center of which I plan to install a cedar elm. I'm using the wedge-shaped stones from the home-improvement stor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of desert willows September 10, 2007 We have three desert willows. Two are doing well, but the third, which was planted at the same time as the others, is about 1/3 the size of the other two, the foliage is thin, and the leaves have dry... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of invasive non-native Chinese wisteria September 10, 2007 I am going to be removing my ubiquitous chinese wisteria very soon (the method I'm going to use is undetermined). If I decide to use Round-up on the cut-stem (which may take more than one application... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting trees to use carbon dioxide September 06, 2007 How many trees must we plant to use carbon dioxide produced by the average American in a year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native alternatives for Japanese maple September 05, 2007 Hi, I am a landscaper trying to create a landscape in a shaded area with no sun. The person likes a Acer palmatum, but I am not sure it will grow there. We live in South Lake Tahoe. So I know of some ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of oak wilt or iron deficiency September 04, 2007 This spring my two oak trees, 4" and 7" in diameter, in my yard in Kyle started showing very light green leaves with green veins. I've been told this is chlorosis, so I treated them with a couple o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hurricane resistant alternatives to crape myrtle September 02, 2007 Are there any native small to medium trees (15-25 ft) to use instead of crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia indica)? Crapemyrtles come in many colors and bend with hurricane winds instead of snapping or uproo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oak leaf fall causing ivy damage August 28, 2007 I read the A/Q in the Austin American-Statesman Saturday, August 25, regarding the leaves falling now from the live oaks. I am experiencing the same thing, but it is the leaves of my post oaks that a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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