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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| Protection of Mountain Laurel from Pyralid or Genista moth caterpillars May 28, 2006 I have a Texas Mountain Laurel. Every year it is attacked by caterpillars. They form a bag for lack of a better word on the ends of the branches destroying the blooms for the following year. PLEASE... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mountain Laurel and Desert Willow in pots or ground in Brady, TX May 09, 2006 I would really appreciate your advice if a Texas Mountain Laurel (now a 1 gal. size) and a Desert Willow (now a 3 gal.) are good candidates for planting in containers and, if so, what size for each? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer and application for live oak trees April 27, 2006 What do I use to feed live oak trees? How do I apply the fertilzer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Determination of native plants of North Carolina April 24, 2006 I am compiling lists of native plants to use in NC, and found that Dirr (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants) lists introduction dates (xxxx) for MANY of the trees you list as natives, e.g., Acer rubrum ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native, non-invasive plants for Canaan Valley, WV April 23, 2006 I recently purchased a home on an acre of land in the middle of Canaan Valley, WV. The front yard is flat and sunny, the back is on a ridge and is a little forest with a creek at the bottom. The tre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Inadvisability of mounding earth around tree in ring April 20, 2006 We have a mimosa tree in our backyard. My husband wants to build a tree ring around it. My mother told me that some trees will die from having soil built up around it like that. Will a tree ring ki... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Xeriscaping in clay on a slope in Fort Worth April 06, 2006 Xeriscaping in clay (Fort Worth) on a slope -- Please offer suggestions and publications. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lopidea texana nymphs and adults feeding on Mountain Laurel in March April 04, 2006 What is the species name of the bright red bug (Miridae) nymphs and adults that are feeding on Texas Mountain Laurel leaves at this time (March 24) at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Susceptibility of Shumard oaks to oak wilt March 25, 2006 I have planted a red oak tree. I am still trying to locate the ID tag for the type. I planted it two or three years ago. I purchased the tree from either Lowes or Home Depot. Is there a type of red oa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native drought resistant evergreen plants for privacy hedgein clay soil in Texas March 08, 2006 My family would like to create privacy around our 4 acres of fence line. What native evergreen or fast growing bushes would work? We have terrible clay soil and need drought resistant plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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