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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Getting rid of Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed) July 28, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, After much online research, my property has been invaded by what I believe to be Persicaria polygonum punctata, more commonly known as dotted smartweed. I have tried hortic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Buffalograss for Houston July 08, 2008 Will 609 buffalograss sod perform well in Houston, Texas? I am being told that it will yellow and get filled with weeds and that it won't handle the humidity. Is this all true? Help, please. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poisonous plant in Ohio with hydrangea-like flower June 09, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I was sure that I had read that there is a poisonous bush that is native to Ohio that has flowers something like a white hydrangea..or was it queen ann's lace? I believe the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglassii) native June 02, 2008 Could you give me some information about Douglas maple? Moslty, I'm trying to find out if this plant is native or introduced to Idaho and/or U.S. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for East Texas school gardens May 19, 2008 I am a teacher in San Augustine, Texas (which is in the Eastern Pineywoods region). I have started an outdoor classroom/schoolyard habitat at our school. We are in the process of planning our plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Do Salvia coccinea and Salvia occidentalis occur in Hawaii April 27, 2008 Aloha, Would you please happen to know if the salvia occidentalis and the salvia coccinea are growing in a wild state in Hawaii, the quantity (small or large areas? What are the weather conditions ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of a vine with thorns and blue berries. April 22, 2008 > Hello, > We have acreage in Butler County, PA. I recently discovered a vine that I can't identify. It's has many small spines all over the stem, then very large and stiff thorns. It has dark gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida. February 04, 2008 Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
The most common wildflower in North America January 16, 2008 Hi Mr. Smartyplants, What the most common wildflower in North America? My friend thinks it's the oxeye daisy. Is this correct? I work for a puzzle publishing company, and am doing research for a them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for common names of plants in the United States January 16, 2008 Hello Mr. Plants! I am writing to you on behalf of Carol Sharp who is one of the leading plant and flower photographers here in the UK. We will shortly be making her collections of work availab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Care of Ecuadorian penco century plant December 17, 2007 I was recently given a Penco, Century plant from Ecuador. It doesn't seem to be doing well. Two of the leaves have turned dark, then yellow, and died completely. Five remain, one seems to be dying as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Information about the wormvine orchid, Vanilla barbellata November 27, 2007 Hi My name is Santiago I'm from Puerto Rico and discover this Vanilla orchid in the forest, this orchid is V. barbellata var. alba? You have some information of how identify the V. barbe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of plant known as mosquito plant (Agastache cana) October 11, 2007 I received some seeds from an annual plant that came from Bowie, Tx. It has square stems, like mint plants, medium size leaves turns purple when in the sun and had a strong odor when brushed against. ... 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 | ||
Slow flowering wisteria May 09, 2007 We have a young wisteria growing on the side of the house. It began to flower this year for the first time. Whereas my neighbors' wisterias all bloomed in February, ours has only begun to bloom in mi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Yellowing of fronds on Sago Palm March 27, 2007 Our Sago Palm now has all yellow fronds from the Winter frosts. Should they be cut off? Will the plant grow new fronds from the bottom to replace the ugly looking ones that are there? And why do I se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native sedges for Texas March 07, 2007 What can you tell me about Texas Blue Sedge? What its true name and culture requirements? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for purchase of native Salvia texana February 23, 2007 Good morning, Do you or do you know someone who carries Salvia texana? It has been impossible for me to obtain this beautiful Native Texan. Please respond at your earliest convenience with infor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source of Rosa foliolosa for Zilker Gardens, Austin February 19, 2007 We're looking for a specimen plant of Rosa foliolosa and I am hoping you can direct me where I can purchase one for the Vee Fowler Native Texas Herb Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Care and propagation of Kentucky Coffeetree December 22, 2006 I found a tree on our property in Missouri, after some reserch I found that it is a Kentucky Coffee tree. I collected several of the pods and would like to know how I can plant them to grow. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of Cockspur Hawthorn as Crataegus crus-galli September 05, 2006 What is cockspur hawthorne? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sources for seed of Utah native Asclepias labriformis January 08, 2006 Hi there, I am looking for seeds of the plant "Asclepias labriformis" which is native to Utah. Can you help me to find seeds from this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on edible and poisonous plants June 06, 2005 I am trying to gather information regarding edible and poisonous plants in Utah's Salt Lake City area. Can you help? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Locations where non-native Mimosa trees grow May 23, 2005 Where do mimos trees grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possibility of growing oak-leaf hydrangea in Comal County, TX January 08, 2005 In the last issue of the magazine, there was an item about the oak leaf hydrangea which stated the plant's habitat is east of the Mississippi River. Can it be grown in Comal County? Any special nee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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