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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| Planting a Texas Persimmon in rocky soil in Krum TX March 27, 2009 I have recently purchased a 10 gallon Texas Persimmon plant that I want to put as a highlight plant in my yard. According to the nursery, it has been in the pot for 2 years. I have been "blessed(or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stubs of Texas Star Hibiscus in Abilene, TX March 26, 2009 We have cut back our outdoor Texas Star Hibiscus for 4 years and now have a large number of old stubs that the new growth must navigate around. Will it kill the plant if we dig up the old stubs? At so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer amounts for native perennials in Belton, TX March 18, 2009 I am a novice gardener and need advice on how to fertilize my native perennials. I would like to use organic fertilizer and need advice on exactly what to use. I have a compost pile but it does not ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow leaves on non-native pittisporum in Wharton TX March 17, 2009 Green pittisporum that I planted 2 years ago and 1 year ago are getting a lot of yellow leaves. Variegated pittisporum that I planted at the same 2 times are doing fine. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| My newly planted Mountain Laurel isn\'t doing well. March 13, 2009 My mountain laurel was planted from a container in Dec. It is in part sun, clay soil, and its leaves are turning yellow. should I move it or will that kill it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for screen in Colleyville TX March 12, 2009 My soil is pure sand that goes down as far as I can dig. I am needing native plants to use as a screen, that grow to be 6-10 ft. tall. Also, since my plantings dry out so quickly, would it be helpfu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for flower beds in Aledo, TX March 10, 2009 I have 2 beds that together run the length of the house foundation (25' each), we have 2 spots I would like to plant a Yaupon (Pride of Houston) in each spot approximately 2' from the foundation;is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can hackberry twigs and leaves be safely used in compost? March 05, 2009 If Hackberry trees and leaves have growth inhibiting compounds, should they not be used in compost piles? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds February 05, 2009 Can you put too much coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Probably non-native crapemyrtle trees damaged by hurricane January 15, 2009 I have 5 crape myrtle trees. I live in Galveston, Tx and when Hurricane Ike came through in September the salt water I think killed them. They have not come back since then and are brown with no leave... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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