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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Live oaks exhibiting white foam spots from Round Rock, TX June 08, 2014 We have several native very large Live Oak in our backyard, and this summer we have noticed white foam spots on the branches. We live in Round Rock next to the Williamson County Park. The spots look... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Purchase of Galphimia angustifolia from Austin June 08, 2014 I have a Thryallis, Galphimia augustifolia, or Thryallis autustifolia, growing from a limestone ledge in my yard in west Austin TX. I have tried unsuccessfully to buy this native. Do you sell it at t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Unidentified stalk, possibly manfreda, from San Marcos TX May 23, 2014 I had a very weird stalk pop up in my yard in San Marcos TX this month (May 2014) It bloomed very quickly and appears to be a manfreda but there is no rosette, or leaves of any kind - just the thick o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| List of plants that tolerate May 11, 2014 Could I get a list of "grey water" tolerant shrubs/evergreens/etc? *Full sun View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Caterpillars feeding on Phacelia congesta May 11, 2014 Can you tell me which caterpillars can be found on Phacelia congesta in Bell County? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Simsia calva from Albuquerque NM January 27, 2014 Hi - I was given some simsia calva seed from the LBJ wildflower center. It doesn't have a lot of info about starting the seeds, so any help is much appreciated! I tried starting some outdoors last ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native citrus trees from Mesa AZ January 13, 2014 We have one valencia orange tree and one naval orange tree in our Mesa, AZ yard. Just noticed some oranges on both trees have a 1/4 inch diameter hole through the skin and the orange fruit and skin a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruit trees for Kempner, Texas November 29, 2013 I just moved to Kempner , TX and would like to plant a couple of fruit trees in my 1 1/4 ac yard. I would like to plant a species that will do well and produce edible fruit. Any assistance will be app... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is post oak resistant to oak wilt from Dallas TX November 22, 2013 I am confused. The NPIN website says that Post Oak IS susceptible to oak wilt, but all the other information I have been able to find says that it is resistant to oak wilt and rarely gets the diesase.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification in Mojave Desert November 20, 2013 I need help in identifying a shrub like plant that I found in SW Utah near Beaver Dam, UT (Which is near the Arizona/Nevada border). It is approximately 12 inches in height with profuse stems origina... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |