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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| Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder April 24, 2009 I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for banks of a retention pond in Alabama April 24, 2009 What can we plant on the inner and out walls of a detention pond to stop erosion? The pond is located in a neighborhood in Mobile, AL and the walls are 9 ft high with a steep slope. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Special requirements for Density buffalograss in Austin April 23, 2009 Are there any special requirements for Density Buffalo beyond the requirements of other, more common, types of buffalo grass? Background: We live in NW Austin, and we recently installed density bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering plant for hillside in Brookings OR April 16, 2009 We live on the Chetco river and the bank in front of the house is on a hill. What would be a flowering plant that would maintain the integrity of the hill? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree without extensive root system in Ozark, AL April 10, 2009 I would like to plant a tree (in full sun next to a brick house wall) that doesn't have an extensive root system. I have concerns about the roots and the water/septic lines, as well as the concrete h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Water seepage problems in basement in Philadelphia April 09, 2009 I am interested in stopping/limiting water seepage into my basement by placing water absorbing ground plants along one or both sides. The grass we planted when home was new in July 2007 has taken on o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stabilizing a shale slope in Virginia April 08, 2009 I have family members who recently built a new home in Virginia. The site required extensive excavation resulting in a large 30 foot, nearly vertical, shale wall behind the house. They now want to r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grasses for creek area near Abilene, Texas April 04, 2009 I have constructed several low water crossings on a live creek in the Abilene,Texas area and need to find out the best grass to plant to hold secure the soil and keep down erosion. The creek does runs... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for near a salt water swimming pool April 01, 2009 I need some suggestions of plants that will grow next to a public salt water swimming pool, located in Bossier City, Louisiana View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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