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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Toxicity and invasiveness of Scarlet Wisteria May 04, 2007 I recently purchased seeds for Scarlet Wisteria (Chinese rattlebox tree). I spoke to a neighbor about this and she warned me not to plant them as they were poisonous to hummingbirds. Can you clarify... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification and replacement of chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) April 24, 2007 I am trying to identify and locate a native tree. We live in Fairview, near Allen, Texas. It is in bloom now. It has fragrant small lavender 5 petal flowers in clusters. They develop into yellow/t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possibility of consuming Rapistrum rugosum April 21, 2007 Reference: "Bastard Cabbage" (Rapistrum rugosum) Garden section of Austin American-Statesman (April 7, 2007) speaks of this weed. As a child, my parents used to pick, cook and eat this weed at the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Introduced invasive Melia azedarach along Shoal Creek in Austin April 17, 2007 Along the Shoal Creek Trail in Austin are many flowering trees with sparse clusters of small pink/purple, star-shaped flowers with a dark red center stalk, blooming now in April. They have a fragrance... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Control of Acacia escaping cultivation in California March 26, 2007 My backyard has been overrun by acacia shrubs. How and what can I do to permanently rid the area of this weed? I hold an agricultural QAL so I have access to herbicides if there are effective ones a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Invasive common giant mustard March 14, 2007 I have been seeing a lot of a small shrubby plants with yellow flowers all over Austin, mainly along roadsides. Back in my day the first wildflowers of Spring were the paintbrushes and the bluebonnets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Avoiding planting Indian Paintbrush in Hawaii because of invasiveness March 01, 2007 My daughter is living in Hilo, Hawaii. For her birthday, her boyfriend ordered her some Indian Paintbrush seeds. Trying to be sure she grows them correctly in a pot, she found instructions that say ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Control methods for Cenchrus spinifex, Coastal sandbur September 22, 2006 I have some of the nicest, thickest, greenest grassburs in the county of Erath. What is the best and quickest way to get rid of them? I have heard of a product called cornmeal gluten. Any info appreci... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lists of edible plants in region of Pennsylvania for school project September 12, 2006 Please Help! I'm a grade four teacher in Philadelphia. My students and I are assigned a theme project that involves listing edible plants that grow in our region. Can you recommend a web site(s)... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Management practices to eradicate Johnson grass September 02, 2006 Please suggest some eradication methods for Johnson grass. It is established in a field that I want to encourage native wildflowers/plants such as goldenrod, prairie coneflower, blue eyed grass, milkw... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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