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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| Lawn Options for Saginaw, MI April 09, 2015 I'm looking for a low maintenance, high traffic lawn alternative. Will Texas Frogfruit handle the winter? My yard is small so covering it is an option. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Grasses for Houston, TX April 06, 2015 What native grasses can I use for my lawn in Houston, TX? It appears that Habiturf is not recommended for our climate. Is there another variety of seed available yet that I can use to start a small ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Groundcover Suggestions for Under Florida Oak Trees April 03, 2015 I am looking for native plants that will do well under several oak trees in Northeast Florida. My yard doesn't get much sun and I'm told I have acidic soil. Are the any plants that would do well wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcovers for Shade Under a Sweetgum March 25, 2015 I have 3 large sweetgum trees that produce so much shade each summer, and grass, even grass meant for shade, won't grow here. It's become a barren desert! I have English ivy but it only seems to gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for Road Frontage in NC March 12, 2015 I need a fast growing ground cover or perennial flower for 1,000 feet of road frontage about one acre that will choke out weeds. I do not want to do much ground prep or any ground prep. I do not want... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need ground cover plants to grow in the shade a large oak in San Antonio, TX March 09, 2015 We have a large backyard in San Antonio covered with live oak and red oak. Since grass does not do well in this shade / bright shade area I would like to plant a low growing ground cover and then add... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Compatibility of mixed ground covers with St. Agustine grass March 04, 2015 My husband and I live in Northwest Austin. We have removed lawn from our front yard and replaced it with mulch and some trees and other plantings. We would like to replace the lawn in our backyard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Strip Groundcover for Austin, TX February 19, 2015 I live in a condo in Austin (near N Lamar and North Loop), and am on the HOA board. There is a small strip of land along the back of the units, used mostly for access for maintenance - it ranges from ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Phytoremediation using Paspalum vaginatum February 06, 2015 Do you know of any on-going research using Paspalum vaginatum as the prime plant (monoculture) for use in phytoremediation. Utilizing this plant in Vegetated Swales, Spreader Swales, Grassy Swales,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing mosses in the Pacific Northwest February 05, 2015 Can you provide information on types of Mosses as well as Microferns in the Northwest Mountain region near Seattle? I assume that Mosses and Microferns are more resilient to foot traffic (i.e.Cush... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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