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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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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Shade-loving native plants for South Carolina January 08, 2008 I am looking to incorporate a native plants section in my backyard. Shade seems to be a limiting factor in some parts, especially where I would look to create a natural hedge bordering my neighbor's... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grass or ground cover for sun/part shade in Austin December 30, 2007 I live in Southwest Austin (a couple of miles from the Wildflower Center) and I would like to plant some grass in my backyard. I have a small yard with several oak trees and they have been cut back to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen plants for shaded bed and removing bermuda grass. November 29, 2007 Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants, I have two questions. First, the back of our house in Williamson County faces north. We have plant beds (about one foot wide and the length of the house) up against the back w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fast growing shade tree for Phoenix, Arizona November 07, 2007 Would you recommend a fast growing shade tree for Phoenix, AZ that will grow at least 30 ft. high and with a similar canopy in clay soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shade-loving plants for a long, narrow bed. October 31, 2007 We are installing a bed with a student-made sculpture dedicated to mothers at our high school in Austin, Texas. The bed is against the two-story school, east facing,and shaded by cedar elm. What can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers suitable for full sun and partial shade in the Dallas, Texas area October 22, 2007 What wildflowers are best for the Dallas area both in sunny and semi shade locations? Are you able to purchase by mail? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for wildlife and trees for shade. September 29, 2007 We live in Kempner Texas, our land has mostly cedar trees. We would like to make a wildlife habitat on the back side of our property. Can you recommend plants that will grow in shade to partial sun,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native alternatives for Japanese maple September 05, 2007 Hi, I am a landscaper trying to create a landscape in a shaded area with no sun. The person likes a Acer palmatum, but I am not sure it will grow there. We live in South Lake Tahoe. So I know of some ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recommendations for native shade plants in sandy soil July 30, 2007 I live in Rockport, TX, and would like to plant a small, shaded triangular corner (bounded on 2 sides by wooden fence)in my front yard. The area has limited southern exposure due to shading by live o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native alterrnatives for Bermuda grass in shade July 30, 2007 I have Bermuda Tif 419 on my lawn. As expected, there are small areas in the shade that the Bermuda is not doing well in. What would happen if I spread Zoysia seed in those shady areas? Would it gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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