Native Plants
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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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| topic | question | |
| Plants to cover 1000 square foot wall in Virginia March 29, 2013 In Norfolk, VA, I want to cover a large (1000 sq ft) cement wall with a variety of maintenance free plant life. Any recommendations? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Alternative shrub for Greyowl Juniper from Cincinnati OH March 28, 2013 I don't love Greyowl Juniper which our landscaper is recommending for a low planting in front of the house. Can you recommend an alternative? I don't care for the grayish color or the spiky look o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Death of lantana in Bryan TX March 28, 2013 I would like to know what killed several new gold lantana in a single bed that died over the winter. They looked quite healthy last fall. I have several other new gold lantana that survived the wint... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade-loving plants for birds in New Jersey March 25, 2013 What native plants should I add to my property, Zone 6, to feed birds naturally? I have a heavily treed lot, so I'd like names of shade loving perennials. Seed or fruit bearing options would be gre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants for Trinity, TX March 23, 2013 I need a list of deer resistant flowers, herbs and plants that would could be planted in Trinity, Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought tolerant privacy plants for Flagstaff AZ March 19, 2013 We need a fast growing drought tolerant tree that will grow in Flagstaff AZ/Parks AZ. Neighbors are hoarders and we want privacy fence to cover the mess. Any help would be greatly appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Patio Privacy Screen Suggestions for Central Texas March 17, 2013 I have just built a patio and want to plant some small trees, bushes or shrubs to form a visual barrier (rather than to erect a fence)to the neighbors yard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lack of Fruit on Forestiera March 17, 2013 I have not been able to get berry production on my elbow bush. I have male and female plants. Is it possible to help with the pollination process? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native perennials for Ft. Worth TX March 17, 2013 Mr. Smarty Pants, I have two large planters around the back side of my saltwater pool where there is no decking. (sloped landscape) 8'long x 3' wide. I need low growing perennial plants that will ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree for on top of sewer lines from San Antonio March 16, 2013 I am looking for an evergreen small tree with taproot to plant in a very small front yard near the sidewalk and possibly on top of or nearly on top of sewer lines. Would a Mt. Laurel be the choice? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought resistance of non-native Abelia from Austin March 14, 2013 Are abelias drought resistant? I have a spot that is sunny from early morning till about 2-2:30 in the afternoon. Is this enough sun? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of bush with red berries March 11, 2013 bush? grows along fence lines in rural areas; sheds foliage in fall; berries appear; colors vary from red to orange, depending on soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees and other plants for privacy along lake shoreline March 09, 2013 We are purchasing a new home that has a 2 acre lake. We would like to add some plants/trees for privacy around the shore line. Can you suggest something that would fill in nicely and is strong enoug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscaping trees and shrubs non-toxic to dogs from Monticello FL March 08, 2013 We're landscaping and need advice on large and small evergreen trees and shrubs that are native to or will flourish in North Florida. We plan to put in a treeline (large and semi-large trees) as wel... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Do Deer Eat Orchid Trees? March 08, 2013 I have planted three anacacho orchid trees, however we have a lot of deer around us. Is this a tree they will want to eat? Do you have any ideas to keep deer away? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Screening Suggestions in Brooklyn, NY March 08, 2013 My neighbor directly in back of me has shrubs that are growing all over my fence. Also his 9-foot-tall shed facing me is rusted. What can I do to improve my view so that I can enjoy my backyard more? 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 |  | |
| Hot Sunny Planter Suggestions for Florida March 05, 2013 We have a large, raised, concrete planter (about 15' L x 2' W) separating us from our condo neighbor in Clearwater, FL. We would like suggestions for shrubs that tolerate full sun and hot conditions... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Agarita suggestion for Houston area March 05, 2013 Another possible plant for the following question is agarita. The question: "Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Ro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need recommendations for privacy screen in Richmond, VA February 27, 2013 Hello, I read through the previous posts on privacy screen plantings in the Mid Atlantic region. There was a lot of great information, but I has a specific question that was not answered. I would li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Starting Tecoma stans seedlings February 25, 2013 I planted and germinated several (about 40) seeds from my Tecoma stans plant and they all sprouted and grew very nicely. They are now about 6 weeks old and they don't seem to be making any more prog... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Enough sun from San Marcos TX February 22, 2013 I would like to plant both Lantana urticoides and Salvia farinacea in area that only has morning to 1pm sun..Will this amount of sun be enough? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-blooming Dwarf Shrub and Agave Flowers February 18, 2013 I have two questions. I need a symmetrical dwarf shrub for full sun in Austin area that is non-flowering. Can you recommend some? And do agaves always flower when they are about 10 years and then die? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter pruning of lantana from Austin February 12, 2013 I live in north Austin. Due to our mild winter, my lantana has not died off this season as it usually does after a freeze - and so I have not cut it back yet this year which I typically do about right... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trimming Butterfly Plants February 11, 2013 I am looking for detailed information on trimming common butterfly plants: crucita, cenizo, sweet-stem, whitebrush, Mexican trixis, skeleton-leaf goldeneye, white plumbago, turk's cap, desert lantana... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need a privacy screen of native plants for swimming pool in Garden Ridge, TX February 10, 2013 We are building a pool and would like to use native plants as a screen around the fence, preferably a shrub that grows quickly to about 6 feet. Any suggestions? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree with stilt roots for Louisiana bog garden February 07, 2013 Does Louisiana have any native trees with stilt roots? I would like one to go with my cypress and tupelo bog garden. I have several native plants such as spider lilies and blue flag irises, but I'm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pride of Barbados seed for Ft. Worth TX February 07, 2013 When can you plant the Pride of Barbados plant seeds and how to go about it in Fort Worth Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hiding a chicken house from Glen Rose TX February 06, 2013 To hide a chicken house, which do you recommend, crape myrtles or chinese photinias? 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 |  | |
| Need small, fast growing trees for privacy screen in Buda, TX. February 01, 2013 Please recommend some small, but fast growing, flowering trees to plant along a western fence for privacy View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for Brooklyn, NY January 25, 2013 Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a fast growing ground cover for my Brooklyn, NY back yard. The area is nestled between 3 buildings and a fairly large tree, so most of the day its shady, but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hardiness of Acerola bush for Conway AR January 25, 2013 How far north can you grow an Acerola bush? I live in Conway, AR, which is north of Little Rock.We used to be Zone 7, but now we are on the edge of Zone 8, I believe. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing rabitteye blueberries in Phenix City AL January 18, 2013 What type soil is needed to grow rabbiteye blueberries? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge shrub for shade in Jacksonville FL January 17, 2013 Looking for shrub or hedge ( no Azaleas please )to line front of house that is full time shade in Jacksonville Florida ( something different, on the lines of tropical if possible). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replanting yaupon in Blanco TX January 16, 2013 How do I replant Yaupon in its native area Blanco TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Large shrub or tree for front door in Houston January 16, 2013 I am in search of a shrub or tree to plant next to my front door. I want a showy medium sized shrub or tree (8 to 12 ft), decorative, and a privacy screen since my front door faces my next door neig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Montana native plants to create a garden with edible plants January 14, 2013 Hi Smarty Plants We are looking to create a native herb, vegetable, root, fruit, flower and ground cover garden for the area of Hot Springs, Sanders County, Montana. Our zone is 4 and soil is mostly ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Decorative small evergreen tree for Las Vegas NV January 06, 2013 I need a small decorative tree to be planted among a pine tree background; would prefer evergreen. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio January 03, 2013 I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native Japanese privet from Glendale AZ December 26, 2012 We have Japanese privet shrub and they seem to be suffering from a disease, need help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mountain Laurel slowly dying in San Antonio, TX December 26, 2012 My Texas Mountain Laurel seems to be dying in a slow unusual manner. Over the past two weeks the leaves have been turning yellow and falling off starting with the south facing side of my multi-tru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Comments on white-flowered Mountain Laurel from Austin December 23, 2012 Following up on the August 23, 2012, question from Driftwood about the white-flowering mountain laurel, I have found a few more leads to explore. First, there are four more images of white-flowering m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) edible? December 21, 2012 I found a post here about cenizo leaves being used for tea, but I'm wondering if the leaves of the cenizo are edible? I have found many recipes for 'brown butter sage' leaves (sauteed often with on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub for mostly shaded area in The Woodlands TX December 19, 2012 What large shrub will grow in a partially shaded to mostly shaded tree area in The Woodlands(Spring), Texas which is north of Houston, Texas between Houston and Conroe? The Woodlands is in the very so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas natives that attract butterflies but not deer December 13, 2012 I'd like to have some plants in my garden that are butterfly attractors, but that whitetail deer won't like. I can find lists of butterfly plants, and lists of deer-resistant plants -- is there a li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Beautyberries not poisonous to cats and dogs from Haddonfield NJ December 11, 2012 Are beauty berry plants poisonous to cats/dogs? Would like to use branches w/berries and leaves as indoor decorations. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of wax myrtle from Lafayette LA December 10, 2012 Hello, I have a good portion of Wax Myrtle Seeds. How do I get them Started for planting? Have been told to put several seeds in a Jar lid in a very damp paper-towel & leave them there till they ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Availability of Michigan Holly berries in Northern Michigan November 17, 2012 I live in Northern Michigan, and am new in the wreath making business. Last year I found Michigan Holly berries and used them for my wreaths. They have the most beautiful berries I have ever seen, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Search for non-native Rosa Rugosa for Granbury TX November 12, 2012 I would like to find an old fashioned Rosa Rugosa (non-hybrid) to grow in central Texas. I know I've seen them occasionally when traveling in the central TX area. I want them for their rose hips. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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