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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| Sumacs under live oaks dying in Austin August 08, 2010 Converted my yard to native plants last fall. All of the fragrant and evergreen sumacs are dying off one by one - they have never thrived. I ensure they get a good soaking at least once a week. I w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown spots on young redbuds in Lincoln TX August 01, 2010 I have lined my driveway in Lee County Texas with Red bud trees purchased both in Dripping Springs and in College Station. The 14 trees are of varying ages and heights (planted during the fall and wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant to cover retaining wall in Carlisle PA August 01, 2010 I have a block retaining wall in my back yard. I need to find a quick growing plant that will grow through late summer into fall and cover the wall with limited sunlight. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of honeysuckle bushes from Coaldale Alberta Canada July 30, 2010 I have 2 honeysuckle bushes that I want to get rid of. I am wondering if Honeysuckle bushes have very deep roots (are they hard to dig out?) I am 70 years old and didn't know if I'd be able to dig ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennials for flower bed in Humble TX July 28, 2010 I have a 10 foot by 10 foot flower bed that needs to be replanted and I am located in Houston, TX so what would be some good perennials to plant that are good to grow in this heat? I have been told L... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennials for mountain cabin in Southern California July 26, 2010 We have a mountain cabin at 7,000ft elevation in S. California. Please recommend native perennials. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to Plant Now feature? July 20, 2010 Would y'all at all consider having a "What To Plant Now" section" and/or a "What's Blooming Now" one. You are very generous with your information, but if I wanted to "go native", it seems tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White fuzz on pine tree bark in Dartmouth MA July 13, 2010 We have white fuzz on our pine tree bark? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in American beautyberry in Birmingham AL July 13, 2010 We created a new garden area in our yard that gets full sun in the afternoon. I had a Beautyberry Bush that had seriously outgrown the area where we originally planted it (also full sun), so I transp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Amendments for faster-growing trees from Bulverde TX July 04, 2010 What faster growing trees will grow in black gumbo clay that is about 12 inches deep above caliche rock in full sun with a sprinkler system set on 1 inch/week? How many and how much amendments such... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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