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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Something eating leaves of Eastern Redbud in San Antonio May 27, 2010 I know you had this question a few years back but no answer. Something is eating the leaves of my Redbud (Eastern, I think. There are varying sizes of bites, but most leaves stripped, some to stem. Pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of saltwater to kill weeds in gravel in Hamilton Co. TX May 26, 2010 I want to get rid of weeds and grasses in our gravel driveway and parking areas. Which would be less harmful to the adjacent native plants and trees: saltwater or herbicide? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants ants avoid from McAllen TX May 22, 2010 Which native plants do ANTS avoid (are there?)? We have a big ant problem here. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating straggler daisy from St. Augustine grass in Hochheim TX May 14, 2010 I have straggler daisy in my St. Augustine grass. What herbicides work well on straggler daisy and won't ding up the grass too bad? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with rusty blackhaw viburnum in Austin May 07, 2010 I have a four foot rusty blackhaw viburnum. Last summer the leaves turned reddish and in the late summer most of them fell off. This February the plant started to leaf out and then bloomed. It has ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yucca with halticotoma valida bugs in Burleson TX April 18, 2010 I have had Yucca plants in my yard for 10 years, but this year is the first time I have seen halticotoma valda, and there are thousands of them. How do I get rid of them? are they harmful to the plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need bug repelling plants in Arlington, VA February 08, 2010 What kind of plants are best bug repellents, and need little or no maintenance. I'm a city girl and don't like bugs (spiders) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of strange tiny creature in plant water January 14, 2010 I have a house plant rooted in water. I has been for over a year and the plant seems healthy, I change the water often and keep it clean. I now have noticed that something is growing it. A fish type o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennial plants resistant to cutter ants in Aransas Pass, TX January 12, 2010 We are moving to Aransas Pass, Texas. Are there any perennial plants resistant to cutter ants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Treating cuts in tree trunks November 21, 2009 We have two young trees that deer made bad cuts in the trunks. What can we put on cuts to keep bugs and disease from getting in them.? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |