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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| Invasive native blackeyed susans from Warren OH August 07, 2013 In our demo garden we master gardeners in NE Ohio have been unable to get rid of black-eyed susans which have, like the other person, prevented or "killed" the other perennial plants. They are spre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Should a tree near a water well be transplanted? July 31, 2013 I have a water well and have about a 6 yr live oak planted in close proximity to it( about 10 feet). Would it be wise enough to transplant the tree while its this young or leave it alone. Also I need ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating evasive Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet) July 21, 2013 I have Oriental Bittersweet growing pervasively in my shrub garden, strangling my shrubs and growing into my beautiful Victorian porch. I can't keep up with it! What can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow tree) July 20, 2013 We are trying to remove Chinese tallow trees from the lake bed on Lake Buchanan. We cut them down, but they grow back from the roots. They are very hard to dig out. Do you have any suggestions for how... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling Cnidoscolus texanus (Texas bullnettle) July 18, 2013 Hello,I need your help to control some nasty weeds in my yard/pasture. I am an old timer and do not have a picture to include—haven't figured out that part of the camera/phone yet. This weed is a pri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will catalpa roots damage a nearby swimming pool? July 13, 2013 Will a catalpa tree cause problems to my swimming pool? It is 8 feet away and I cut all the branches off every fall. It then grows back to about 6 feet in diameter an makes a great garden feature but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a plant with winged stems in Texas July 08, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, We live in Denton Texas & our backyard is being taken over by a very woody type weed or bush. The most distinguishing characteristic is that long thin vertical ridges or fins... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating and replacing Tradescantia species July 03, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I need advice. I recently figured out my 10 month old dog is highly allergic to Tradescantia sp, commonly known as the Spiderworts, and "Wandering Jew" which covers about h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can oleander poison the ground below it? June 29, 2013 Can oleander poison the ground below it? Would it kill/damage grass or other plants below it? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Killing regrowing shoots of a downed hackberry tree June 28, 2013 Hackberry plants won't die. You and others have suggested to cut the suckers or saplings to get rid of them. Over the years I have continued to cut the same saplings and the only thing I have now ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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