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 | ||
| Care of butternut trees (Juglans cinerea) with bumpy growths June 12, 2007 I have two small butternuts, around 3-4 feet. One has developed very 'bumpy' reddish growths on the leaves that are actually stunting their growth. What do you think it is and what can i do to sto... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Snail and slug management in Austin May 27, 2007 How can you get rid of large snails in the Austin, TX garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ravaged by snails May 23, 2007 Our Prickly Pear Cactus is being completely ravaged by snails. Is there something in my yard that could be attracting them? Is there something I can do to keep them off the plant? Also is is safe to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cat deterents May 01, 2007 I was wondering if there is such a plant that will deter cats from going in your gardens. I have a problem with them using my garden as a litter box, and had heard that there was a plant that the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Using cattail fluff to stuff pillows April 22, 2007 Me and my children filled a pillow case with cattail feathers today and brought it home. My mother says that it is going to get or attract bugs. Are there any dangers in this little project? Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants good for repelling bugs in Austin, TX April 18, 2007 I need help on what type of plants or herbs are good for keeping bugs away from the house and also something that would be good for in the house for bugs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of ball moss in oak trees March 23, 2007 I live in San Marcos, Texas and I have a two acre lot with lots of oak trees. Most of these trees have so much ballmoss attached to them that the leaves and branches are not visible anymore. Is ther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Possibility of native plants as natural mosquito repellants February 08, 2007 I live in Austin Texas and have what I would consider a mosquito infestation in my garden for most of the year. Are there native plants to this region that are proven to be naturally mosquito repella... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible damage by invasive, non-native earthworms in compost January 03, 2007 I received a worm bin (vermicomposter) for Christmas. The instructions that came with the bin say to use the red wiggler worm (Eisenia foetida) and that it is okay if some of the worms go into your g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of borers attacking Prunus serotina August 30, 2006 Where can I find information to control borers that seem to attack only Prunus serotina v. exemia? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Effects of salt sprinkled on garden June 29, 2006 The kids accidentally sprinkled salt on the plants in the garden. How do you counter the effect of the salt so the plants will not die. I would appreciate your response. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Protection of Mountain Laurel from Pyralid or Genista moth caterpillars May 28, 2006 I have a Texas Mountain Laurel. Every year it is attacked by caterpillars. They form a bag for lack of a better word on the ends of the branches destroying the blooms for the following year. PLEASE... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lopidea texana nymphs and adults feeding on Mountain Laurel in March April 04, 2006 What is the species name of the bright red bug (Miridae) nymphs and adults that are feeding on Texas Mountain Laurel leaves at this time (March 24) at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling scale insects on hollies July 10, 2005 I have a number of holly shrubs at the side of my house. Recently I noticed that they have tiny white spots on them. I looked at several native Texas gardening books, but can't find what I need to t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Black walnut herbivory June 13, 2005 We moved to Texas just about a year ago and have loved it here. This past January we visited the Wildflower Center and obtained some black walnut seeds. Up until last night the tree was doing well p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poor drainage in wildflower bed November 10, 2004 I have a flower bed that has given me difficulty because it has poor drainage but typically receives sun for most of the day. Salvia gregii was the only survivors for the initial landscaping attempt. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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