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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| White specks on unknown houseplant from Ridgeway SC June 20, 2013 I have an unknown houseplant that seems to have some sort of pest or disease on it. It has white snowy specks atop its leaf. I bought this purple fuzzy leafed houseplant from Walmart in Winnsboro, SC ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Container plants for part shade in Bee Cave TX June 18, 2013 Dear Mr Smarty Pants, I am looking for plants that will thrive on my covered porch in 3 tall planters. These are meant to help me block an unattractive view out my living room window, so they must... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pill bugs in potted plants in Atlanta GA June 14, 2013 Hello, I repotted four aloe vera plants two days ago with a cacti soil and watered them thoroughly in terra cotta pots according to directions on the bag. Well the next morning the pots had pill bug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Texas Persimmon in enclosed planter from San Angelo TX May 23, 2013 I want to plant a Texas Persimmon (in West Texas) in an enclosed planter 4' X 4' X 2.5' deep. What would be a good planting medium. Does it need to be deeper? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planter boxes on a roof deck in Boston MA May 20, 2013 What will grow in planter boxes on a roof deck in Boston ma? We are planning to make our own planters to sit on the framing "outside" our deck rail. We have 4 ft from the rail to the edge of the ho... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native and invasive bamboos from Staten Island, NY May 19, 2013 Hi I put some black Bamboo and some bias Bamboo in a large container about 6ft by 2ft and ht 18 inches .How can I get this Bamboo to thrive ? Suggestions on types of plant food or fertilizer or ant t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Container plants for Yakima WA May 11, 2013 My condo complex has purchased large, pottery pots for around our pool. I need to choose low maintenance plants. hopefully something that takes limited water, etc. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for indoor container gardening from Lax Vegas NV May 10, 2013 What is an good flower to grow in a pot? I live in a apt., and like roses,tulips etc. if that helps any. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing fern houseplants from Lancaster PA April 10, 2013 I have fern houseplants about 9 to 12 months old and they are turning yellow. I don't overwater and they get good light. They are growing well but I don't understand the yellowing and falling off! ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Containerized honeysuckle for Dassel MN April 05, 2013 We are renting our house but I would like to enjoy my own honeysuckle. Can they be planted in a big pot so that I can take it with me when we move. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowering evergreen plant for ceramic pot April 02, 2013 I have a deep ceramic pot that I would like to put in a flowering evergreen plant or bush. It is on the deck facing west but with north and south exposure and afternoon sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native container plants from Hillsdale NJ March 22, 2013 Looking for suggestions for the easiest natives to grow in containers. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hot Sunny Planter Suggestions for Florida March 05, 2013 We have a large, raised, concrete planter (about 15' L x 2' W) separating us from our condo neighbor in Clearwater, FL. We would like suggestions for shrubs that tolerate full sun and hot conditions... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Small tree for Northern California backyard March 05, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a small tree for backyard (west side of house). I'm replacing a Calif.Laurel which is not doing well because it is planted on a downward slope and gets too m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Indoor plants for El Paso TX January 05, 2013 I want to know what kind of plants will survive indoors in El Paso. It is so dry here, is there anything leafy or flowery that will thrive indoors in this climate? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas native shade plants for metal troughs in Austin December 22, 2012 Interested in finding Texas natives that would do well in metal troughs in the shade. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting horsetail indoors from Collierville TN November 12, 2012 I would like to plant horsetail indoors. Can it handle the inside? Will it try to go dormant or it that a temperature trigger which means it will not go dormant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter plants for windowbox in Piedmont SC October 26, 2012 What kind of outdoor window box spruss can grow in upstate South Carolina in the winter months? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Suitable container plants for Austin October 23, 2012 Hi, I see some info on native house plants, but not much. I live in an apartment that doesn't get much direct sun (maybe 2 hours a day) -- is there anything for me native-wise (Austin) if I have to h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smog-eating plants from Ft. Worth TX September 30, 2012 Looking for a list (40 >) of Native Texas Plants for Fort Worth Urban (Condo) that are Drought tolerant or (drip irr) and Fragrant and long blooming and eat up the city smog. Fort Worth is in a non-at... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine for planter box in Berkeley CA September 29, 2012 I live in Berkeley, CA and want to plant a vine to crawl up a trellis on my deck. It gets sun most of the day. I need to use planter boxes because there is only patio below and would like something ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cedar sage not blooming in pots in Austin September 14, 2012 I have cedar sage (salvia roemeriana) in containers on a dappled-shade apartment patio in Austin, TX. This is their first season here, transplanted in May (it's now September). All the plants have be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Texas Mountain Laurel to transplant to Dallas August 29, 2012 My daughter would like to incorporate a tree planting ceremony in her wedding in Texas. The seedling would be planted in a pot for a few years and later transplanted in a yard when they buy a home. Wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for big pots by pool in Austin August 14, 2012 Could you please suggest some plants to put in big pots out by my pool? They will get lots of heat and sun. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Gregg's mistflower in pot from Vail AZ August 04, 2012 I recently bought a Gregg's Mist plant and don't know much about it. I live in Arizona and was wondering how well the plant will do if I plant it in a large ceramic pot? Will it continue to grow? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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