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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| Ground covers for play area in Plano, TX April 14, 2007 Is there a ground cover that would work under and around a swing in our front yard in Plano, Texas. It would get morning sun and dappled shade from a trimmed live oak in the afternoon. It would need t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Alternatives to invasive, non-native Vinca minor as ground cover April 05, 2007 I live in Central Austin. I want to plant a large area of Vinca minor since it is fast growing and offers attractive ground cover. I assume it requires little care with the rain being sufficient for i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Phyla nodiflora as a ground cover March 23, 2007 I'm considering using frogfruit in my lawn and between stepping stones. However, I'm concerned about it being invasive. The tree is in the front lawn and don't want it to take over the Bermuda law... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for partly sunny, wet area in Cypress, TX March 19, 2007 I am in need of a ground cover to plant in an area close to our entryway. The area is shady to partly sunny, holds water in rainy weather, and has a shrub border. We are in Texas. Any ideas? Thank... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low maintenance, attractive ground cover for yard in Snyder, TX February 25, 2007 I live in West Texas, I just bought a couple of lots that have had nothing grown on them in about 45 years, except what looks like small clumps of weed /grass, not sure. I would like to have my front... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Alternative to grass as groundcover in area used by dog January 05, 2007 I am looking for a beautiful groundcover to use instead of grass which need to be soft and animal friendly. My dog is in the yard a lot and she's 10 yrs old. I am looking for a groundcover which wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground covers to enrich soil over winter in Austin September 03, 2006 I am about to have a baby so will not be working my vegetable garden from about now (September) through the winter or spring. Is there something (a grass, maybe?) that I can plant now that will benefi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible ground covers under pine trees in Illinois April 18, 2006 Have pine trees in front of house. No luck with the lawn around them....was told it's because of ground acidity. Any tips on how to get a lawn to grow there? If not, can you suggest some ground cover... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground covers for sandy hill in New York April 12, 2006 We have just built a new home and a sandy fill was needed around the house. It sits on a hill and the fill is very sandy. We would like to plant something to stabilize the bank that is native to the a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bare feet-friendly native groundcovers for New York April 14, 2005 We own land at elevation 1600', near Sherburn, NY. We want to walk barefoot around the tipi area, but don't want to plant grass (mowing grass). What native ground cover would be kind to bare feet ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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