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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| Are Brown-eyed susans and Black-eyed susans the same species? December 02, 2014 Are Brown eyed Susans the same as the Black-eyed Susan? I've read that they are both common names for the same plant, but the flower looks slightly different in different regions. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Starting Melochia Pyramidata from Seed November 06, 2014 Last year some Melochia pyramidata popped up in my yard all on its own. I was able to gather some (really neat looking) seed pods once they had dried out. I'm moving pretty soon and I'd like to grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fall Wildflowers for Helotes, TX October 20, 2014 Dear Smarty, Could you please suggest a few colorful wildflowers for a sunny area. I live north of San Antonio, TX and would like to plant some flowers in October but I want something that has been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fall Flower Planting in Abilene, TX October 14, 2014 Are there any flowers that can be planted in the fall in Abilene Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Storing Rudbeckia Hirta Seed October 10, 2014 I just bought and planted your Rudbeckia hirta seed. I have a lot leftover. Can I store it until spring or better yet, next fall? If so, how? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Texas Plants for a Terrarium October 08, 2014 I have a 55-gallon aquarium that I would like to make into a terrarium. Are there any Texas native plants that would do well in the limited artificial light of the tank? The plants should be of varyin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Silphium Perfoliatum Seeds October 06, 2014 I am trying to identify which part of the seedhead is the actual seed of the cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum. It is hard to find images. Some show the outer, larger, flat part of the seedhead which ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Best Asclepias for Kansas City October 06, 2014 I have a question about the Asclepias. I live in the Midwest, in Kansas City with hardiness zone 5b or 6. I want to know which of these plants would be good for me in a cultivated garden. It's not to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shearing Pink Skullcaps September 21, 2014 My pink skullcap plants keep dying. The ones that are still alive are about 3 years old, but have large sections of dry twigs. Do I shear them and hope they come back or are they gone? I live in Helot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When is best time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade in San Antonio, TX? September 20, 2014 I need to know the time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade. Can I plant them now ( August ), or wait till fall or spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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