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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| Plants for a children's playground April 20, 2015 We have extensive native gardens on our 2 acre property, but my children want a garden of their own with plants they can hide under and that are good for imaginative play. Are there any native plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for Slope in NC under Black Walnut April 20, 2015 Please advise on some plants for a difficult to mow 30% slope, near Asheville, NC. We have partial sun, plenty of good rich topsoil, and plenty of rain. The key issue is that it is under and near the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a Shaded Slope in Philadelphia April 17, 2015 I have a small slope along the North side of my house in a suburb of Philadelphia. A small maple tree grows there but most of it gets no sun at all (a large segment is under the tree). I had the soil ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Wildflowers and Grasses for Texas Acreage April 15, 2015 I recently purchased about 36 acres in Somervell County, Texas where cedar had been bulldozed and burned (many large spots). What would be the best native flowers or grasses to replant in that area? L... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lawn Options for Saginaw, MI April 09, 2015 I'm looking for a low maintenance, high traffic lawn alternative. Will Texas Frogfruit handle the winter? My yard is small so covering it is an option. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Chigger Control in Habiturf from Plano, TX April 08, 2015 We converted our back yard in Plano, Texas to Habiturf last spring/summer and have a nice lawn; however, for the first time since we have lived in this house for 32 years, the lawn was full of chigger... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Grasses for Houston, TX April 06, 2015 What native grasses can I use for my lawn in Houston, TX? It appears that Habiturf is not recommended for our climate. Is there another variety of seed available yet that I can use to start a small ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Critter-Proof Native Plants for Virginia Lawn April 02, 2015 We live in a gated community that was part of the Wilderness Battlefield during the Civil War. Our home is on a narrow lot, fully treed except for a postage stamp-sized lawn at lake side. We have de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Substitute for Habiturf in Fullerton, CA March 27, 2015 Will habiturf grow/thrive in 92835 zip code? I think Im on 10a or 10b hardiness. I have clay soil. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shallow Rooted Wildflowers for MA March 25, 2015 Do you have any suggestions for wildflowers that would be safe to grow on a capped landfill site? They would need to have roots no deeper than 24 inches. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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