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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| Non-blooming toad lily in Kentucky April 20, 2008 I have had a toad lily for three years and it has never bloomed. What do I need to do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Organic means for ridding garden of stinging ants April 18, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I have a butterfly garden that is filled with native plants the butterflies LOVE! However I have a colony of red ants that have moved in. I need to trim some of the more inva... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Red spider mites in native bluebonnets in Austin April 02, 2008 What would you do if the WFC bluebonnets developed a bad case of red spider mites? That is what has happened to many of mine here in Austin. I noticed them the other day and I must have been asleep be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vehicle friendly oak trees for Austin March 30, 2008 Do Chinquapins, Shumards or Live Oaks produce lots of tree sap? I'm looking for a vehicle friendly Oak tree to be installed in parking areas in Austin, Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Infestation of flies around euonymus in summer March 02, 2008 I have 3 shrubs planted in my backyard. I think they are a type of euonymus (but I'm not sure). My question is why do they attract huge nasty flies. The first year we had them they didn't. But the l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Roses being attacked by spider mites January 18, 2008 My roses are being eaten alive by spider mites. I read that this area of Texas has a huge problem with these devils! I've tried everything to kill them to no avail! Can you help me? Gratefully yours,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible disease on Eastern Redbud October 06, 2007 Our Eastern Redbud appears to be suffering from our recent drought. The leaves are turning brown in July/August on a few branches. A few black spots appear on the leaves before they turn brown. Ot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Danger of lichens damaging trees September 26, 2007 My mom lives east of Buda, Texas where she has planted many different kinds of trees, which are all over 10 years old. Now, they all have a moss or lichen growing on the bark of the trees. She is worr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Defenses against imported red leaf beetles on lilies August 06, 2007 I've recently discovered small red beetles of some kind on my lilies, which they are happily devouring. I've been picking them off with my fingers and squashing them, but I'd like a better alterna... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungus gnats on indoor plants July 09, 2007 Hello, I live in Austin and I work in an office where we like to have plants. Recently we started to get these annoying tiny, little nits, how can we get rid of them without harming my plants. Help th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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