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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| Evergreen Privacy Screen for Maryland November 19, 2012 I am looking for an evergreen that will suffice to be planted as a privacy screen between my property and my neighbors. Looking to plant a row at the property line. The lot is shaded most of the d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Arizona centaury near Lost Maples from Austin November 05, 2012 I found a clump of Arizona centaury growing/blooming beside a road near Lost Maples State Nat. Area in the Texas hill country last week. Centaurium calycosum is the scientific name. I have 2 questio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Junipers for restoring area in Bulverde TX November 03, 2012 Are ashe or virginiana junipers for sale around the hill country? I would like to recreate the natural plant life that was bulldozed next to my home. Do you recommend any other types of juniper that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is straggler daisy deer resistant from Austin October 08, 2012 Is straggler daisy (horseherb) deer resistant? We have lots of deer in our NW Hills, Austin neighborhood, and a lot of shade where not much will grow. Is that plant a good candidate for ground cover... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer-resistant groundcovers for erosion control September 26, 2012 I need a ground cover (vine??) that will help me with erosion on a sloped front yard. It gets about 6-8 hours of sun and my main need is for something that the rats in our neighborhood will not destro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native deer-resistant plants for Virginia September 26, 2012 I live in Roanoke/Salem Virginia and want to plant a few plants native to the area along the front yard rock wall. I would prefer they be the same, deer resistant, around 5-6 feet tall max and flower... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX August 31, 2012 I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN August 23, 2012 We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant, drought- and shade-tolerant plant for Pennsylvania August 14, 2012 Hello, I need a deer/drought resistant, shade tolerant, rocky soil perennial. I would like it to have some winter appeal. I live outside of Philadelphia, PA. Thank you so much for your time... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to protect roses from deer browsing July 04, 2012 I would like to plant knock out roses but I am concerned the deer will eat them? Advice? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Groundcover for lower Michigan June 24, 2012 What ground cover is deer resistant for a sunny location in lower Michigan? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need deer resistant plants for a shady north facing garden in Raliegh, NC. June 22, 2012 I am in need of Deer Resistant Native Shade plants for a North Facing Garden. It is 3 feet wide by 20 feet long. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you, Eaten Alive View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer proof ground cover for sunny area in Mississippi June 09, 2012 I am looking for a low ground cover that will thrive in a sunny location and is deer proof View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID June 02, 2012 Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening Planter Recommendations for Lakeway TX May 16, 2012 I live in Lakeway in a townhome. The parking lot is directly in front of my unit so I always see headlights and cars. The HOA has agreed to build a planter about 4 feet high to help hide the cars. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover and Butterfly attractants for LaRue Texas May 02, 2012 LaRue, TX - Would like a native low growing plant as a groundcover. I would like it for six+ hours of sun, drought tolerant, and ones that butterflies might enjoy, while deer won't. Some winter int... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Specifications for a property in Corning CA March 29, 2012 Drought resistant, deer resistant, low growing (ground cover), and shade tolerant request: I am looking for a variety of species that not only fit the above preferences, but also a few other things. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant plants for MD March 26, 2012 My home backs to the Muddy Branch Creek parkland,which is suffering greatly from a large deer population. Many of the plants that existed in the woods when we purchased our home (1986), such as mayap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering Deer Resistant Ground Cover for Dry Rocky Soil: Alabama March 26, 2012 My question has been partially answered in the FAQ but I live in Birmingham where the soil is clay and rocky so it's a little different. I want to plant on a rocky slope (small rocks like the size of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer and Drought Resistant Natives for San Marcus, Texas February 15, 2012 Hi there, Do you have a list of plants and ground covers (deer/drought resistant) for the San Marcos area? Much as I love grass, it's impossible with this drought. I'd love to have lots of flowers ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA January 30, 2012 What shrubs can I plant on a wet slope that gets partial sun that will help control erosion? They need to be something the deer won't eat! We have lots of deer. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Central Texas plants highly deer resistant from Austin January 19, 2012 I'm helping a friend who has a severe deer problem in Westlake. The Deer Resistant list includes over 300 species, but they are classified as "mild" or "moderate" or "high" Deer Resistance. Is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Additional screening under yaupons in Georgetown TX November 09, 2011 We live on a corner and have a berm along the south side of our yard which blocks our backyard from the street. It was planted with uprights yaupons. With the drought, deer have eaten the bottom por... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant plants in South Dakota November 03, 2011 Plants and flowers that deer wont eat and will grow in Black Hills, SD View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant groundcover for New Braunfels, TX September 24, 2011 Could you recommend some deer resistant ground cover plants for the New Braunfels area? We have tried Ajuga and Katie's Ruellia and they have been eaten. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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