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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| Cultivars off native plants attracting pollinators from Fairfax VA March 25, 2011 When trying to create a native garden/habitat- should you avoid using cultivars of the native plant? Nurseries around us keep trying to tell us that using a cultivar of the native plant we actually wa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Artist's project on protecting pollinators in Austin February 26, 2011 I am designing a citywide artist's project to protect and preserve local, natural pollinators (with an emphasis on honeybees). What nectar-rich plants would you recommend for this type of project? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| No berries on dogwoods in GA November 18, 2010 I have 4 native dogwood trees. I have owned the property for 4 years. They have never produced berries. Can you tell me why? are the trees male and female, and could I have all males? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Early, middle and late blooming flowers for pollinators in East Texas July 05, 2010 On our farm in northeast Texas we are participating in a Conservation Program through the NRCS. We have to plant 4 acres for pollinators--early blooming, middle blooming, and late blooming. I need t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flying insects attacking yucca flacida in Wilmington NC June 11, 2010 How do I treat flying insects from eating the flowers on my Yucca Flaccida shrub. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When may I remove seed heads from yuccas? June 07, 2010 Soft tip yuccas dominate my home's landscape. When is the best time to remove the heavy seed heads after flowering? In addition to being difficult to work around, the pods seem to attract infestatio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| California native plants for a steep slope May 29, 2010 We are looking for California native plants for a steep south facing slope that do not attract bees. Can you please provide a list? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bees knees squeezing May 28, 2010 Barbara, Do the knees of bees help them squeeze if they please their wobbly, bobbly, knobbly balls of pollen? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-blooming or fruiting Oregon grape holly in Elmhurst IL May 14, 2010 I have an Oregon grape holly bush that has never bloomed and has never had fruit. I have had the bush for at least 6 years, it is approximately 5 ft tall. Have had no problems, just no flowers/fruit.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Compact possumhaw holly for Plano TX April 19, 2010 What variety of possumhaw holly would be best planted close to a house? I'm looking for a variety 15-25 feet, as compact as possible. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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