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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| Plant ID and pruning in Portage IN April 09, 2009 I'm looking for information on trimming a bush about 6 feet in diameter with orange horns in bloom and its name. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning a mock orange in Charleston WV March 30, 2009 How far back and when do I prune a "Mock Orange" in order to get it to bloom? 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 | ||
| When and how to prune lavender (Lavandula sp.) March 20, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants I have a Goodwin Creek Lavender plant that I planted last year. It did very well but my question is about pruining. It seems that there is some growth coming up now that it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cutting back achillea in New York March 18, 2009 Last summer I planted three gorgeous hearty achillea with flat, yellow tops, about 3 feet high or more each, in my sunny garden. But after they were done flowering, I left those very pretty brown stem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Controlling size of red yucca in Austin March 13, 2009 I have planted red yucca in my backyard, which produces many flowering stalks for the past few years. These red yucca are becoming too large for the area that are planted in. What recommendations do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming a rock rose in Richardson TX March 11, 2009 I have a Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)in my garden. I cannot find any information on how to trim or whether I should trim this plant. If so when? Mine is pretty much growing all over the place and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of Carolina Jasmine in San Antonio March 02, 2009 We are attempting to permanently remove large old-growth Carolina Yellow Jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens bushes from our property. The bushes are cut down. Any suggestions for stump/root removal (mec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming back Texas Star hibiscus in Granbury TX February 26, 2009 Can I trim back my Texas Star Hibuscus? And when do I do that? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming a bur oak in Llano, TX February 06, 2009 We have a beautiful, large Burr Oak next to our house. This tree has many large lateral branches. I have trimmed dead branches, but no other trimming. It grows a lot of "suckers" during growing sea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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