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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

<< previous 1 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 next >>

792 Results: 10 25 50 100 per page

topic	question
Grasses or Grass-like	Need landscape suggestions for area exposed after last flood on Black Creek in Forrest County. MS September 18, 2009 We live on the Black Creek in Mississippi. After the last flood, we now have a steep sandy slope which is unmowable, and incredibly weedy. We want to remove the unsightly weeds- kill if necessary, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Vines	Salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas September 16, 2009 Do you have any suggestions for salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Identifying native grasses in DeSoto TX September 15, 2009 I want to plant my 1.5 acre yard in a native grass; there are already some grasses growing there. How do I identify this grass? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native buffalograss for Round Rock, TX September 14, 2009 Hi, I am wondering what the best Buffalo grass selection would be for Round Rock, Tx? I have about 400 - 500 Sq Ft that boarders the street that I would like to maintain as a natural type of environme... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Overseeding sprig planting of native grass in Kansas September 12, 2009 Can I overseed a Sprig planting of native grass in Kansas in the Fall? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Bioswale in Orange CA September 08, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, I'm looking for plants for a bio-swale in Southern California. Do you have any suggestions for plants that do well in water but can also can handle long dry summers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX September 08, 2009 What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Plants to prevent erosion in clay soil in Heron, NY September 07, 2009 What plants could be used to plant on clay soil, Eastern exposure in full sun to stop erosion on a bay side hill with a steep grade? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like Trees	Removing grass under oak trees in Pflugerville TX August 30, 2009 I would like to use the newspaper-and-mulch method to smother grass under the canopy of live oaks, a bur oak, and a lacey oak so that I can plant natives that will thrive there. However, I'm concern... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Seed and Plant Sources Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like	Native landscaping in Austin August 24, 2009 I am planning to convert a pretty large portion (app. 500 sq feet) of my front yard from St. Augustine to an area with native and well-adapted plants. I have solarized the area to kill off grass and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Cacti and Succulents Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Plants for erosion control in Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2009 I have a terraced high side lot(front of house). I currently have Yuccas growing, but they are too invasive. Can you suggest plants, shrubs, or ground covers that are not as invasive and will still ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grass for family cemetery in Gallatin TX August 20, 2009 Recently, we made a family cemetery, and are now trying to find a type of grass that will make a healthy lawn for it. What would be an appropriate species to plant here? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like	Buffalograss for Mason County, TX August 19, 2009 I am interested in planting buffalo grass at a ranch home in between Mason and Fredericksburg, TX. I've read buffalograss doesn't do well in sandy soils, which this area (Hilda, TX) seems to have a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grasses for a wildflower meadow in Greenville, SC August 17, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been establishing a wildflower meadow in Greenville, SC. Our current wildflowers are: Purple Coneflower Perennial Black-eyed Susans Cardinal Flower Butte... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Seeds and Seeding Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Erosion control in Santaquin UT August 11, 2009 I have a hill in my backyard; it is about 40 ft tall and about 80 ft wide. It is probably a 1.5 to 1 slope ratio. I am going to be landscaping my back yard and have top soil put on the hill as well. S... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Tufted hairgrass seed for Houston TX August 06, 2009 From Houston-Texas I am looking for a seed grass called tufted hairgrass ( deschampsia caespitosa ), if you can tell me where to find this kind of seed. Thank you for helping. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Replacement for St. Augustine grass July 29, 2009 I live in Georgetown, TX. I have an acre lot with many large Live Oak Trees. Currently we have St Augustine grass growing, but with the drought, it's not working out well with rainbirds putting down ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Need recommendations for native plants on a dry sunny hillside in Baltimore Maryland. July 28, 2009 Need native recommendations for sunny, dry hillside for ground cover or shrub in Maryland. Mowing the grass is a pain and an energy waster (and I don't want to be tempted to extend some adjacent exi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Looking for a tall ornamental grass native to Massachusetts. July 23, 2009 I am looking for a tall (4-8 ft) ornamental grass, native to Massachusetts/ New England. It needs to be tolerant of moist to wet soil, and preferably colorful. Thanks for your help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Water Gardens Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like	Native water plants for bio-retention pond in North Carolina July 22, 2009 I am looking for North Carolina native plants that can take part shade and very wet conditions (bioretention pond environment). Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Thicken clumps of Panicum virgatum in Stafford VA July 22, 2009 I am growing Panicum Virgatum varieties that will be transplanted in September to form a Native American maze project. I have given the quart size starts a root fertilizer when I planted them to try ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Rain Gardens Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like	Native plants for a bioswale in Baltimore July 22, 2009 What native plants would suit a bioswale in an urban part of Baltimore City? The clay soil gets waterlogged and the site has part shade. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Seeds and Seeding Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Controlling erosion in Leburn KY July 21, 2009 I would really appreciate advice on controlling a serious erosion problem in eastern Kentucky. The slope is north facing, shady and moist with rich soil. Would prefer to use native Kentucky plants. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Planting Propagation Grasses or Grass-like	Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas. July 21, 2009 How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grass to replace St. Augustine in Houston July 18, 2009 I read your answer to the question on the Houston Chronicle's website in relation to watering St. Augustine grass. You referred to St. Augustine as non-native, but from what I can gather St. Augusti... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	When to plant bermudagrass in East Texas July 17, 2009 When to plant Bermuda grass in East TX, Center, Nacodoches, Lufkin and Center area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Transplants Grasses or Grass-like	Planting from pots in summer in Austin July 01, 2009 It's the last week in June and temperatures are going to be at 100 or more all week. I've some plants that I'm wondering about transplanting to an exposed site in this heat: muhlenbergeria lindheim... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Seeds and Seeding Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Plants for steep embankment on the Missouri River in Nebraska July 01, 2009 Hi, My embankment along the Northeast Nebraska shoreline of the Missouri River is eroding the land away. Do you have any suggestions for seed I could throw over the side of the bank that would grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Procedure for planting buffalograss June 30, 2009 I would like to get a full schedule of events/actions for planting a lawn with buffalo grass. The area is already a lawn, though mostly weeds. It is June/July. First, cover area to be seeded with b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Plants for a sandy slope at a weekend cabin in central WI. June 30, 2009 I have a cabin in central Wisconsin where the soil is equivalent to a sandy beach. There are some areas that are nearly impossible to mow because of how steep the incline is. Could you recommend som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Assessment of Turffalo buffalograss June 26, 2009 Hi, I'm in the process of planning what type of turf to get for a new home in NW Austin. Turffalo/Tech Turf has showed up as a great possibility and I saw some mention of it back on March 05, 2008... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Plants for a bank too steep to mow June 24, 2009 Like the inquiry made in late June of 2008, mine involves a bank that is too steep to mow. However, ours is facing south. I am looking for a native grass, plant or groundcover. Any suggestions? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Plants for a steep bank in Virginia June 23, 2009 I have a small yard with a 3 foot steep bank that I want to plant on. I am looking for fast growing ground cover. There is some shade but not a lot and has a southern exposure. Ground is a bit roug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for wildlife in Katrina recovery area of Louisiana June 21, 2009 I live in La in an area decimated by Katrina and want to establish 11 acres of wildlife friendly native short grasses. It is partly designated wetlands because it floods, but also has long periods wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) for Ontario, Canada June 17, 2009 Is there a grower/distributor of Buffalo Grass in Canada? I want to seed it soon. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Replacing grass on steep hill in Georgia June 16, 2009 I live near Atlanta, Georgia. My yard is a steep hill, which makes mowing VERY challenging. If possible, I would like to remove the grass and plant something hardy that does not require mowing. What p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Problem Plants Grasses or Grass-like	Removal of weeds in buffalograss mix in Houston June 15, 2009 I recently attempted to seed a small lawn area with a buffalo/blue grama grass mix, unfortunately for me the area has been hit hard with weeds. Is there an environmentally friendly method to reduce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Juncus effusus Twister question June 07, 2009 I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I bought a Juncus Effusus,"Twister", and was wondering if it can be brought in the house during winter as a house plant or is it just an annual that will die in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Pathway material for Kerrville, TX May 30, 2009 I have removed the St Augustine, expanded a perennial bed of mostly natives and created a pathway along the new bed. Can you recommend a plant to use as a pathway? It should require low water, be hea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Will not cutting grass make its roots stronger? May 27, 2009 I live on a lake that has a hill. There is some problem with erosion on the hillside. Our association wants us to not cut the grass to stop the erosion. How does not cutting the grass help the roots g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Transplants Watering Grasses or Grass-like	Failure to thrive of Cherokee sedge in Spicewood, TX May 18, 2009 I have several Cherokee sedges, just planted in March. Three of them are doing fine, but the rest look like they're dying. Some are right next to one that is doing great. Any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native plants for cemetery north of Dallas May 16, 2009 I need something to plant on a grave in a country cemetery north of Dallas. There's no water piped to the site; it's basically just a pasture. I'm hoping to find a native plant that will be fairly ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Would there be wild buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) growing in Williamson County? May 13, 2009 Greetings, I have done a "test planting" of buffalo grass in my yard. There are now some blooms (?) on the grass and I have noticed similar blooms on grass in two different places in the area (Tay... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Using salt to kill bermuda grass May 12, 2009 (Submitting to site per your request on Facebook, plus an added bit o'info) I am considering trying to kill off the bermuda grass around my raised bed with salt. Vinegar isn't cutting it.. S'pos... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees	Landscape color for Rialto, CA May 11, 2009 My sister-in-law lives in Rialto CA near the base of the San Bernardino Mt ranges and it gets very windy out there. She and I were trying to figure out the best native plants for her area. Her home fa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Plants for wall behind pool in Huntingdon Beach California May 11, 2009 I have a backyard pool and I just removed a messy ivy hedge that grew along the back block wall. The plant was shedding too much leaves. I would like the new plant to hide the fence and grow close en... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Native plants for eroding hillside in Kansas May 08, 2009 We have a creek running thru our property and the hill running down to it is about 30 feet tall, in some places almost straight down, some sloping. Some is in shade, some full sun. We would like som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for chain link fenceline in Nash, TX April 29, 2009 I have chain link fence all the way around my yard and I am getting tired of having to weed eat along the fence line. I am looking for some type of year round decorative plant or grass (preferably on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native plants to retain slope in Salisbury, CT April 25, 2009 We want to plant a newly dug out slope with native plants that will retain the dirt. It is sun to part sun near a lake summer cottage. Thanks!!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Planting grass seed in Greenville SC April 24, 2009 What type of grass seed is best to use in a sunny/ shady area where some grass is already growing? And how is the best way to prep the area for seed and fertilizer or what should I do before and after... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
topic	question

<< previous 1 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 next >>

792 Results: 10 25 50 100 per page