Native 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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| Cedar sage in container in Austin June 06, 2011 Re: cedar sage purchased at your 04/11 plant sale: it sets flower spikes but no red blossoms appear, only calyxes. It's in terracotta pot w/Ladybug soil, shady apartment patio. Soil too rich? Too muc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Container vegetable gardening in Austin April 07, 2011 Is vegetable container gardening an option with Austin's hot summers? I live in an apartment and I really want to plant an organic vegetable and herb container garden. I'm having a hard time findin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plant for container on deck in Oak Grove VA April 05, 2011 What VA native plant can I grow in a container on my deck that will block the view from the neighbor's deck? I am thinking columnar. This is in full sun and gets hot winds off of a bay. The plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can Mock Orange be grown in a container? March 29, 2011 Can the Mock Orange Shrub be grown as a container "plant"? I have seen apricots and apple trees (certain varieties, of course); grown this way. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants for small pots in sun in Austin January 24, 2011 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! We are renting our house, so while we have a yard, the landlord would prefer us to only add plants to his landscaping in pots. I have filled some large ones, but have been una... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for a summer through winter blooming container plant, for Phoenix. October 28, 2010 I'm in Phoenix. I'm looking for a perennial plant that will be planted in a container in a commercial setting, that is under a shaded pergola. She wants it to bloom in the winter and if carried int... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Green blooms on Cedar Sage in Lucas TX September 22, 2010 I have two Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana) one purchased from your plant sale and one from a local nursery planted in part shade in the Dallas area. They seem to be quite happy and are blooming but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Patio plants suffering from heat in Austin August 22, 2010 My patio plants are burning up from the intense sun of Austin's August. Last year it even burned the leaves. Besides moving 40 plants to a shadier spot do you have suggestions on how to protect the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for poolside in Central Texas August 21, 2010 What native plants would your recommend for poolside landscaping, and poolside containers? Tons of sun and white limestone patio.. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant to cover retaining wall in Carlisle PA August 01, 2010 I have a block retaining wall in my back yard. I need to find a quick growing plant that will grow through late summer into fall and cover the wall with limited sunlight. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Salt and wind tolerant plants for small containers in NC July 28, 2010 We need two plants that will go in raised planters. Will be in full sun with lots of wind. Salt water nearby. Will have to keep plants sorta short I guess. We cannot find anything, although we see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native small tree or shrub for container in San Angelo, Texas July 01, 2010 We live in San Angelo TX and are looking for some type of a bush/tree that will grow in a pot in a shaded area..we would like something that would grow to be about 5-6 feel tall and be rather narrow..... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small tree for container near pool in Houston June 24, 2010 Can you recommend a small tree that I can grow in a pot for shade? Looking for minimal mess because it will be near the pool. How big should the pot be? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| New house plant in pot in Chevy Chase MD May 07, 2010 Is it possible for one house plant to eventually die in the pot while a completely different plant grows in its place? The new plant looks similar to the potted plant next to it but it is not quite t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Maximilian sunflowers in a container in Pflugerville, TX April 26, 2010 Can Maximilian sunflowers be grown in a container? How deep and wide would it need to be? Am considering growing them in a stock tank elevated on bricks, with drain holes. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Return of empty Plant Sale pots from Austin April 20, 2010 Would the WFC want the empty plant containers back? I live near the center and could drop off quite a few containers, along with plastic tags. Let me know where, if so. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hanging basket container plants for butterflies and birds April 08, 2010 Looking for ideas for hanging baskets that would attract butterflies or birds for interest to a shut-in in North Texas. These would be outside of southwest-facing windows that overlook a paved parkin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a container bog garden in North Texas April 06, 2010 I live in Plano, just north of Dallas. I've developed a recent interest in water gardens and am considering getting my toes wet with a container bog garden. I have an old galvanized wash tub that I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for dry containers in Dallas March 01, 2010 I have four, rectangular, low to the ground, clay pots on either side of my garage. They face the west and I usually forget to water them. Cactus worked but I planted the kind with thorns! Any ideas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can non-native Mayten tree be grown in 4 ft. container in Cypress CA January 30, 2010 We have a mayten tree that is about ten years old, in a planter about 4 ft. wide. We were told that the roots will not be a problem--true or false? So far, no problem, but how about going forward? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for containers on patio in Houston January 30, 2010 What native plants in Texas (I live in Houston) will do well in pots on my patio- they get about 1/2 day sunlight. Is there anything shrub-like that will live from year to year? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replanting a blue agave in Rio Rancho NM January 11, 2010 I have acquired a Blue Agave, approximately 4-5 ft high. It still appears quite healthy. It was used over the holiday season for display purposes in a liquor store. Unfortunately, the root ball has be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for hanging baskets in Austin October 06, 2009 Can you suggest some plants for winter hanging baskets in the Austin, TX area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Overwintering Cardinal Flower in Thornwood NY October 01, 2009 I have 6 Cardinal Flower plants in planters. They have mulch on top to keep them moist. Can they stay in the planters all winter? Do I cut the stalks before winter comes or leave as is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wintering a Lemon Cypress tree in Eagan MN September 29, 2009 I Have a 2 1/2' Lemon Cypress Tree. I'm wondering if I can leave it outdoors for the winter, if not, how would I winter over indoors? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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