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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| Caterpillars on Milkweed in MA January 23, 2016 I have found every year a black/red caterpillars on my milkweed. They eat everything! I have never been able to find out what they are or how to get rid of them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA January 23, 2016 I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Herbal properties of Dicentra formosa January 23, 2016 I would like to get some information on the Dicentra formosa plant such as the benefits of the plant. Is it poisonous? Can it be infused in an oil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? January 18, 2016 Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? I know the Siberian Iris is tolerant but the scientific names are not the same yet everything I read indicates that blue eyed grass is not in the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit? December 10, 2015 In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Chile Pequin Indoors December 09, 2015 About a year ago I visited your page and as a result I planted 8 seeds in spring 2015 from a large Chile Pequin plant that came up wild in my Cedar Park home near Austin. The last harvest was late su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Choosing the right Coreopsis species for Tennessee November 28, 2015 I live in Bristol Tennessee and have replaced most of my lawn with native plants. I have been trying to learn more about the Coreopsis genus. In TN, we have C. auriculata, grandiflora, lanceolata, m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hillside Groundcovers for Pollinating Insects in Wisconsin November 28, 2015 I am looking for native plants for a project around Hudson, Wisconsin. We are to choose native plants to be seeded next spring 2016. They are to be planted on a hillside under and around solar panels ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade, Heat, Drought and Acidic Soil Tolerant Perennials for Las Vegas? November 28, 2015 What can I grow under my pine trees that is shade and heat (and acidity) tolerant? I live in Las Vegas, NV and would like perennials to plant under my pine trees. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion Control Shrubs and Groundcovers for Steep NY Wooded Slope November 28, 2015 I need to cover a couple of very steep slopes in upstate New York that are partially wooded and near a brook. The slopes are about 130 feet back from the brook. Someone estimated that there is a coupl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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