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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| Red blister-like bumps on grapevine April 17, 2008 I have just discovered red blister like bumps on a grapevine. It is on the leaves as well as the stems. What could this be? Will it harm only the grapevine or other plants as well? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Protection from native invasive trumpet vines April 17, 2008 Mr. SP: I have invaders! Trumpet vines from a neighbor's yard, two doors away have taken over and are eating my garage and trying to steal all the sun from my clematis vines. How do I get rid of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine with red flower April 14, 2008 I have a "vine" that flowers. When it "blooms", it begins with a reddish/yellowish/orange ball about the side of a dime. The ball bursts open and a small red bloom emerges. It looks like a carn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Few blooms on native Bignonia capriolata (cross-vine) March 25, 2008 I have an 8-year-old crossvine that has grown and bloomed beautifully until this year. During the winter it lost all of its lower leaves. What leaves were left had brownish-red splotches on them. It h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine to cover chain link fence in Massachusetts March 21, 2008 I have a chain link fence I don't want to bother taking down, any suggestions on a clinging vine that will rapidly attach itself to the links and eventually cover it with a green "blanket"? thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for memorial garden in Michigan March 04, 2008 I want to start a memorial garden for my daughter. I live in northern Michigan and the area has very tall white pines we have pruned them up about 15' so the area does get partial sun. Which plants w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of using vinegar solutions for weed control February 29, 2008 What is your suggestion about the control of weeds - do you consider vinegar solutions environmentally friendly? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to trail down wall in South Carolina February 07, 2008 Good day, I am putting in a stacked mortarless concrete block retaining wall which will rise to the forest floor along a cut bank - about 4 feet high. Each course steps back about one inch from th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care for cultivar of native Bignonia capreolata February 05, 2008 I planted Dragon Lady Cross Vines at the end of the fall last year. When would be the best time to trim them. I live in the Dallas area. They look kind of beat up right now and I thought if I trimmed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Promoting bloom of crossvine January 05, 2008 I planted a crossvine a couple of years ago and it has grown quite well, climbing well up the Mesquite tree it was planted under. However, it has never bloomed. I was really looking forward to those... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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