Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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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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| topic | question | |
| Smarty Plants on Iris native to Louisiana May 19, 2005 A friend of mine has discovered white iris growing alongside of a swampy habitat in southeast Louisiana where there are blue, yellow and copper/red irises. We presume it is wild because it is in a na... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cut wildflowers for wedding in June in Panola Co., TX May 17, 2005 I need fresh picked Texas wildflowers for my son's wedding dinner on June 3. The wedding is in Carthage, Panola Co, Tx. I'm from Austin and am not familiar with that vicinity. What flowers should b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas native wildflowers viable in Michigan May 14, 2005 Can you tell me what wildflowers native to Texas would also thrive in Michigan?? I'd like to surprise a "transplant". View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When to mow bluebonnets May 12, 2005 I have approx. 2 acres on the side and front of my house in Austin County. When can I mow the remaining high grass and not disturb the natural renewal? Also, I plan to purchase more bluebonnet seed ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower seeds planted in May for summer in Fairfield, TX May 12, 2005 Are there any wildflower seeds which can be planted in May for the summer? I have planted a wildgrass seed mixture I purchased from Turner Seed Company and planted it today (5-2-05). It was supposed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets May 12, 2005 My bluebonnet plants have seed pods (I guess they are, they look like pods of snap peas). Can I collect these or do I just leave them alone and hope they multiply? If I can collect them, what is the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on Rohel’s saxifrage May 11, 2005 Hi, can you help? Do you know what is a plant named: Rohel’s saxifrage? "Bulgaria - Cenral Balkan National Park - Kozya Stena (Chamois Wall) Reserve was established on December 22, 1987. With an a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow Indian paintbrush, Castilleja indivisa May 09, 2005 Does entireleaf Indian paintbrush, Castilleja indivisa, come in yellow in the wild? I have Indian paintbrush in the front pasture and noticed last weekend that there were 5 or 6 that were light yellow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seeds of mayflower May 03, 2005 Although I now live in Virginia, I grew up in eastern South Dakota. Several years ago while visiting SD I was walking in the pasture and noticed that many of the wild mayflowers (pasqueflowers) had ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plant initiatives for universities in Southeast U.S. April 26, 2005 Hello, I am an undergraduate student majoring in botany at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. I am a native plant enthusiast and would like to promote n.p.'s on campus. Do you kn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Asters bloom period April 16, 2005 When do the asters bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Rain-lily April 12, 2005 What is the common lily (I think) that grows in the ditches and especially this year because of all the rain. The flower is trumpet shaped and has red stripes in the petals? Very common everywhere t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Possibility of survival of Genus Castilleja in Wisconsin April 04, 2005 In traveling through Texas last week we noticed many many little orange flowers which are absolutely fascinating. I found a picture of that flower in your website for Wildflower Days 2005 in the to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 28, 2005 I am flying a photographer in on April 7, 2005, for a special art project on Bluebonnets. We have 3 days set aside for the shot. Where are THE best places to capture Bluebonnets in the wild? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 23, 2005 When (month and week) do you think the "peak of bluebonnet blooming" will be this year in the Austin, Fredericksbug, and Llano, Texas area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Helianthus annuus March 22, 2005 I am doing an Earth Fair project on the Helianthus annuus. I would like to know if you possibly had any information on this subject. Some of the things I would like to know are: How big does it get? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflower driving tours in Texas March 06, 2005 I am looking for suggested wildflower driving tours in Texas. Do you perhaps have a listing of suggested driving routes one might take for a day or two in order to view the Springtime wildflowers? A... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 02, 2005 There are several different species of bluebonnets that grow in Texas. Which one is the official state flower? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets February 17, 2005 We live on a farm and have recently had a cow that was deathly sick, then finally got better. We also had a couple of calving problems with the cows. I was reading about how toxic tailcup lupine is to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sunflower with large, thick, fuzzy leaves February 03, 2005 Hello Smarty Plants: I live in Green Mt. NC and am a Master Gardener Volunteer in Buncombe County (Asheville). In summer several years ago we visited a garden which had a beautiful sunflower with lar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Virginia crownbeard January 29, 2005 I recently moved to the Hill Country and notice some "weeds" that seemed to into explode into ice formations when the temperature first fell below freezing. Can you tell me the name of this plant an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Locating wildflowers for school project in March January 27, 2005 I have been assigned a school project to collect 10 wildflowers by March. I don't see any around to collect this time of year. Do you know where I could find some? I live in San Antonio. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Peak times for viewing wildflowers in Texas January 25, 2005 We are planning a trip to Texas to see wildflowers this spring. I have time off March 17-25. Would you expect to see much in bloom then? What area might be the best to visit? Does anyone put reports o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Isocoma pluriflora January 07, 2005 I would like to know when isocoma pluriflora (rayless goldenrod) blooms in the Santa Fe, N.M. area. I'd also like to know its height. Other info will also be appreciated. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Visiting Texas for bluebonnets December 29, 2004 I know rainfall amounts in the winter affect the blooming of bluebonnets in the spring. I am thinking about visiting Texas this spring. What should I be looking for in rainfall amounts? I will watch... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflower meadow gardening December 08, 2004 My local elementary school in Decatur, Texas (north central) has an open field of wonderful wildflowers in front of it. This year, they were mowed before the flowers went to seed. What is a good rul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflower guides December 07, 2004 Can you recommend a field guide to Texas plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets November 29, 2004 We would like to know if the bluebonnet wildflowers are suitable for New Orleans and, if so, which months should they be seeded. Otherwise what can you suggest for our humid climate. We like blue, lav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on earliest blooming wildflowers November 19, 2004 For Spring, what are the earliest blooming wild flowers and when do they typically bloom? I know it's terribly early to be predicting these things, but any idea if the 2005 Bluebonnet crop in Austi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Katy Ruellia November 08, 2004 What can you tell me about Katy Ruellia? I need something with color that will take the hot southeast Texas summers and the cold/wet winters that stays decent and will flower. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on books for Southwest New Mexico November 01, 2004 Which book would you reccommend for Native plants and flowers for Southwest New Mexico - Silver City area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to plant in northern Virginia October 20, 2004 We have recently purchased 10 acres in Northern Virginia, and would like to plant native wildflowers on 4 of the acres. The soil has a high clay content and is currently covered in a mixture of grasse... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indian paintbrush wedding October 20, 2004 I live in western Montana and have become quite fond of the flower known as indian paintbrush. I will be getting married this next July, and would like to incorporate the flower into my wedding; Howe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of native black-eyed susans after blooming September 30, 2004 What is the best way to take care of black-eyed susans once they have lost their blooms? Am I supposed to cut them down to the base, or just let them die out naturally. Also, they all have a white re... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on mowing schedules September 23, 2004 What would be the ideal mowing schedule to allow for a spring and summer bloom of wildflowers? My neighborhood maintains it's own roadsides and has the opportunity to increase the number of wildflowe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting wildflowers before construction begins September 23, 2004 Can wildflowers be transplanted? I'm building a house and wonder what can I save before the builder clears the lot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Bluebells August 26, 2004 Do you have Bluebells growing at the Wildflower center and if so how much longer will they be blooming ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| More on bluebonnets August 26, 2004 This year's strange summer weather has lead to a very unusual event. I have a second bloom on my Bluebonnet garden. I first noticed the blooms last week, and contacted my local nursery to confirm the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on wildflower collecting August 23, 2004 Is wildflower collecting a good school activity? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on showiest time for wildflower blooming August 22, 2004 I have been to Austin a few times, but never during wildflower season. Can you suggest to me what would be the ideal time to come? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets July 28, 2004 My bluebonnets are still blooming out of season! What is the general season for bluebonnets to grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on Germination July 23, 2004 I just planted wildflowers and I was wondering how long before I know if they will grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflowers in Wisconsin June 28, 2004 May I have information on wildflowers in Wisconsin and how to grow them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets June 22, 2004 When do the bluebonnets bloom in the Austin - San Antonio, Texas area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 22, 2004 My Bluebonnets have taken over my flowerbed. Are there plants that can be planted along with Bluebonnets in a flowerbed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plant bibliography March 20, 2004 What book do you recommend for identifying the native plants and wildflowers of my region? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers of my region March 20, 2004 How can I learn more about the native plants and wildflowers of my region? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Central Texas wildflowers March 20, 2004 How do I propagate specific central Texas wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant a wildflower garden March 20, 2004 How do I plant a wildflower garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mowing Bluebonnets March 20, 2004 When is it safe to mow Bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bluebonnet Seeds March 20, 2004 Where can I get bulk quantities of Bluebonnet seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bluebonnets and Texas March 20, 2004 Can I plant Bluebonnets outside of Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| White Bluebonnets March 15, 2004 Are white Bluebonnets rare? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Strangling Bluebonnets March 14, 2004 I have some Bluebonnets that are being strangled by some strange rope-like plant. What’s going on here? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When is a good time to visit the Center March 14, 2004 When is a good time to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to see the wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Illegal to pick wildflowers March 14, 2004 Is it illegal to pick wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets and the law March 14, 2004 Is it illegal to pick Bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Visit Texas to see the Bluebonnets March 14, 2004 When is a good time to visit Texas to see the Bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Baby Butts in Bluebonnets March 14, 2004 Do photo sessions in the Bluebonnet patch cause harm to the plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native flowers and plants for landscaping in March in Austin February 18, 2004 What are the best flowers and plants to landscape with in the Austin area in March? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants wildflower gardens January 08, 2004 I want to plant a wildflower garden but I live in NC And I want My garden to be in bloom all year what types of wildflowers will stay in bloom all year and do I have to import them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Optimum mowing time for acreage with spring wildflowers November 17, 2003 I have several acres where wildflowers grow in the spring, & would like to know when and how often to mow this field for optimum blooms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on daylilies July 29, 2003 I have a number of Daylilies that are rapidly multiplying in my flower bed. If I relocate some of them to the field behind my house, will they crowd out the native wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets May 09, 2003 When can I harvest my Bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflower driving tours April 07, 2003 Where can I learn about wildflower driving tours in the hill country area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets April 01, 2003 Is there such a thing as a red bluebonnet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| More on bluebonnets March 14, 2003 How did the bluebonnet get its name? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| More on bluebonnets March 10, 2003 Clover has taken over and just about covered the Bluebonnets. Is there any way of removing the clover such as with fertilizer or something else? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When the bluebonnets bloom January 31, 2003 Can you tell me when the bluebonnets are in bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets January 22, 2003 Do you have a sense of a peak viewing time for Bluebonnets for this spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blue vervain native to Indiana January 06, 2003 I have a species I need to know if it is native to my area (southern Indiana) - Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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