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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| Lack of Fruit on Forestiera March 17, 2013 I have not been able to get berry production on my elbow bush. I have male and female plants. Is it possible to help with the pollination process? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bee Plants for Victoria Texas March 09, 2013 I live in Victoria south Texas and want to plant bee beneficial native wildflowers, could you provide advice or contact View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pollinating Pawpaws February 06, 2013 We have many good sized pawpaw trees in our area but they never bear any fruit. I've checked them at different times in the fall over the years but no fruit. Someone told me that the flowers were po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dogwoods cross-pollinating from Snyder, CO October 24, 2012 I have a red twig and a yellow twig dogwood. Will they cross-pollinate to produce berries? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Live oak trees buzzing in Taylor TX October 20, 2012 Is it possible for live oak trees to make a buzzing sound? We have heard this sound under our live oak and were worried it was bees but we don't seem to see any. I also heard the buzzing under my mot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for a male Southern Wax Myrtle in Newport News, VA. August 20, 2012 We are looking to add more southern wax Myrtles to make a hedge row with them. We already have one in the ground that is a female. I have called around to see if anyone sells the male but i keep get... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How Do Persimmons Breed - Starkville, MS August 14, 2012 Thank you for your earlier response about the genders of native persimmon trees. We have two, a much larger one that has borne fruit for years and years and a smaller one that I'd just assumed was m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Butterflies attracted by Pink Evening Primrose from Burnet TX July 30, 2012 I see information on Pink Evening Primrose that says it attracts 'many butterflies' Please tell me which butterflies and name them? I've looked everywhere and am just exhausted and frustrated with... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Petunias pollinated by clematis from Logansport IN July 11, 2012 Can petunias be pollinated by clematis? I have 2 petunias that have split blooms and look like a small clematis flower. They are growing close to a jackamani clematis. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will hybrid Tecoma stans attract hummingbirds from Glendale AZ July 07, 2012 We bought a bells of fire plant; would like to know if hummingbirds like them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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