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
| topic | question | |
| Winter care of native perennials in Austin October 19, 2008 Last spring I planted some wildflowers suggested by Deryn Davidson. they did extremely well. I planted-Gulf Muhly,Big Muhly,Red Yucca,Purple Cone Flower,Wine Cup, Large Buttercup And Mealy Blue sage, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grasses for sloped clay hillside in Ohio October 16, 2008 I have built a new home located on a hillside, our soil has a tremendous amount of clay in it. We have a sloped hillside that flows within 25 feet to the back door. The area is wooded and therefore ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grass for detention pond in Illinois October 06, 2008 Hi, please advise regarding grass for bottom of detention pond. I have pond with drawdown time 4 days, what grass could survive being underwater 4 days, and not die? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a drainage easement in central Texas September 29, 2008 I have a 1/3 acre of drainage easement behind my home. I would like to cover it with wildflowers. It is only wet during or shortly after a rain and otherwise does not have water. I have channelled ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower meadow for birds September 19, 2008 I put in a wildflower feed plot for the song birds 3 years ago. We prepared the bed by first using Round Up to kill all the grass then lightly tilled to scratch the surface and planted the wildflower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| East Texas grasses for holding soils September 17, 2008 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about the East Texas area: Specifically, which natvie grasses can be planted to hold the soil/new roads through the winter? Here is the situation: (Against... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Submerged paving under lawn September 07, 2008 I had 4 patches of rectangular areas (about 4'x6'or more) in my lawn where the grass is fine in spring but totally dies in summer. I decided to till these bare patches so that grass may grow better... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| TIF 419 Bermudagrass vs. Zoysia September 03, 2008 I'm currently faced with the decision to sod my yard with TIF 419 or Zoysia. Zoysia is double the price so my knee jerk reaction is to go with Bermuda. Proponents of Zoysia claim it requires less m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for bioswale in Tennessee September 02, 2008 What native plants do you recommend for a bioswale in Tennessee? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grasses for field in Fairfield, TX August 21, 2008 We are clearing youpon, briars and small trees from 13 acres of woods near Fairfield, Texas. We want to plant native grass(s) that can tolerate shade and part shade, but also tolerate mowing(shredder... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |