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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| Reason for small winecup flowers (Callirhoe sp.) May 25, 2007 I purchased some winecup seeds from a wildflower seed company and planted them this past autumn. I live in the northcentral Texas area. This spring, several of the seeds sprouted but they had tiny lav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replanting members of Rosaceae family in same spot May 23, 2007 HI Mr. Smarty Plants We had two apple (yellow fruit) trees besides out house and they died. Is it ok to replant in the same place with other trees without being afraid something is wrong with the soi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ravaged by snails May 23, 2007 Our Prickly Pear Cactus is being completely ravaged by snails. Is there something in my yard that could be attracting them? Is there something I can do to keep them off the plant? Also is is safe to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will Hyacinth Beans and Cardinal vine (non-natives) grow in Texas? April 28, 2007 I live in Coppell, TX, and a neighbor gave me some Hyacinith Beans and Cardinal Vine seeds to plant. She described these as doing well in her local garden, but I cannot find a photo or picture of them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation and transplanting of Vernonia lindheimeri April 10, 2007 I have located a wooly ironweed plant and have taken some seeds to start. This is the only ironweed I have seen. Any suggestions on how to start the seed? Also, if development of the property appea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toadflax and Baby Blue Eyes occurring naturally in Texas March 29, 2007 Does Toadflax/Spurred Snapdragon occur naturally in Texas? My daughter found what I think is it in a field in Keller, TX, but I'm wondering if it is cultivated. The field is full of a variety of fl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Decline of pollinating bees around Mexican plums March 19, 2007 Dear Dr. Smarty Plants While out working in my yard (about nine miles southwest of the Wildfower Center) this morning, I became aware that there was no sound of bees buzzing. I checked our Mexica... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of native dogwoods in Williamson Co., TX March 12, 2007 Hi Mr/Mrs SmartyPlants What are the small-ish wild trees that are blooming so beautifully now? They are practically covered in pretty white blossoms. I've always called them dogwoods but in the vari... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Definition of what constitutes a native plant January 23, 2007 Hello, I am doing research concerning "native plants" for the Northeast. I am "befuddled" as I am finding conflicting definitions for what constitutes a native plant. Do you have a good definiti... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Breaking dormancy of native seeds November 22, 2006 The science of seed preservation seems to be well advanced. However, Jill Nokes' book appears to be the only well-known information about breaking dormancy of native seeds. I'm grateful that she w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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