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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| Want to identify thorny vines growing in Charlotte Hall, MD April 25, 2013 I have vines with thorns growing in my wood, vining around the trees and killing them. It grows and vines go up trees of any height all the way to the top. It has green pointy leaves. If it doesn't... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Memorial Tree Safe for Horses in Oregon March 28, 2013 Hi! I just lost my 33 year old beloved mare, Glory! She was my childhood horse and we have had her basically her whole life. We are looking for a special tree out in the pasture for her! She is bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen vine for screen March 20, 2013 We have pretty much "dead" red-tipped photinia bushes and old pine trees that have seen better days, on a steep hillside. We need to remove and replace with a more natural setting, with some terraci... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscaping a Fence with Native Plants for Central Texas March 08, 2013 I'm looking to landscape my fence that I've lined with woven bamboo. The area gets the hot afternoon sun in summer and is pretty shady in winter. The plants need to be drought and heat tolerant. I'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Robinia pseudoaccia a good replacement tree for Shumard oaks in Austin TX? February 27, 2013 Recently two of our Shumard trees in the front of our house died. Both trees were small/medium in size having only been growing for 13-17 years. I've been reading about Black Locust trees which accor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with red beans Catalina Mts., Arizona February 05, 2013 While hiking at the base of the Catalina Mts. near Tucson in Jan., I came across a plant, the pods of which were open, displaying a bright red bean. I took some of the beans to plant in my yard. I was... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Thorny shrub for deterring break-ins in southeast Texas February 05, 2013 Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Rosa Rugosa rose but it is not native. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine with hair-like prickles January 04, 2013 Trying to find out what kind of vine I ran into yesterday while climbing a deer stand. While pushing limbs and vines down from around me, I noticed hair-like thorns stuck in my sleeves and hands. This... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery tree with yellow fruit in MN November 12, 2012 There is a tree at my workplace, about 8' tall, with small, pea-sized yellow berries right now (Oct. 2012). The berries are attractive to Cedar Waxwings, and the tree has small leaves that are simple... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of a plant in Florida with red fruit like a small tomato September 03, 2012 It looks like a small tomato but it isn't. It has a bunch of flakey seeds on the inside, which are a light brown in color. The outside is red, and I think it starts out growing green and also white.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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