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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| Deer-resistant plants for Central Texas July 25, 2011 I live in a community that is overrun with deer, thanks to neighbors who feed them daily. I am looking for TRUE deer resistant plants for beds...they have eaten my lantana, salvia, esperanza, jasmine... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is India Hawthorne a deer-resistant plant? July 03, 2011 Is India Hawthorne a deer resistant plant in Beaufort County South Carolina? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Keeping deer away from non-native plants in Lansing MI June 22, 2011 What is the real - best way to keep deer from eating my Hostas, Garden phlox and lilies? Ive tried the stinky spray and the fertilizer granules that deter, to no avail. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is eating Eve's Necklace in San Marcos TX June 16, 2011 A small Styphnolobium affine in my yard is repeatedly being defoliated by something. It courageously leafs out again each time, even in the drought. There is a larger tree nearby that remains untouc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Not deer eating the Eve's necklace in San Marcos TX June 16, 2011 Dear Mr SP, Re: the Eve's necklace being eaten. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you in my original question which you were kind enough to answer with the speed of lightening, but I am on the East... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Using Erosion Mats to Discourage Deer in Buda, Texas June 09, 2011 I have a small back yard that has turned into a throughway for a large herd of deer. Whenever I try to grow grass the deer pull out the grasses. The more I water it, the more deer traffic. I was wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves being eaten off columbines May 30, 2011 Hi, We recently planted some columbines and they have been doing quite well. Just today, we noticed that something has eaten all the leaves off a couple of the plants. Several that are planted clo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant plants for a bioswale in NJ May 06, 2011 We live in Morris County, New Jersey, on the edge of a nature preserve, i.e., deer are a bane to everything we plant. We recently had to have a swale dug on the west end of our house to deal alleviat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant trees and shrubs for PA May 05, 2011 My yard backs up to woods, and we have a herd of 12 deer who peruse the neighborhood. This winter, the deer went after bushes and trees that they previously have not touched: euonomous and leyland cyp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen, deer resistant native plants for Austin April 24, 2011 Are there any evergreen, deer resistant native plants that thrive in Austin? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is non-native Chinese fringe flower deer resistant from Austin April 05, 2011 Is Chinese fringe flower (chinense var. rubrum) considered to be deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Damage to Pencil Holly in Michigan March 15, 2011 I have 5 sky pencil holly bushes that are about 3 feet tall each..they don't grow very fast. I was looking forward to them reaching the 7 feet mark one day, as they are going to serve as a screen be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant plants for Williams, OR January 24, 2011 I live in Williams, Oregon. I would like a listing of deer resistant, drought tolerant,evergreen, fast growing, native plants that can be used as a privacy screen on property perimeter. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistance of non-native photinia from La Honda CA January 15, 2011 Is photinia deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rattan vine for deer in Washington County, TX December 17, 2010 My property in Washington County has a lot of very old rattan vine, much of which is 3" in diameter. All of the leaf and berry production on these vines is well over 50' above the ground. I manage... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer-resistant plants for Anderson SC October 27, 2010 I usually plant pansies in the fall & impatiens in the spring under a large oak tree which gets afternoon sun. My impatiens were beautiful early on, but then were annihilated by something. I think i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Resistant Plants for Northern Virginia September 22, 2010 I'm looking for deer resistant shade plants in Northern Virginia. The deer have devoured my hostas, impatiens and native toad lily plants, day lilies. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer--resistant plants for Great Falls, VA August 16, 2010 We have just moved to a house with a rural garden enjoyed by us and the deer. Can you recommend any deer resistant plants for ths location ? ( We have full sun and shade - zip code 22066. Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a smallish evergreen shrub that deer do not like, native to Colorado. August 12, 2010 I live south of Denver Colorado. I am looking for an evergreen shrub that doesn't grow wider than 3 feet and not taller than 4 to 5 feet - something that is native to Colorado or grows well here. (... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant plants for a steep hillside in Allison Park PA July 30, 2010 What do you recommend for a steep hillside, mostly shade and acidic? The deer have eaten everything except the weeds. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants for wet area in northern California July 10, 2010 In Napa/Sonoma/Calif mountains, deer resistant plants, shrubs that tolerate much water and full sun? Area is in 'spring area' and a butterfly bush drowned. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho July 08, 2010 What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer-resistant shade shrubs for Lago Vista, TX. June 24, 2010 I purchased a home in Lago Vista, Tx. It has a very shady front yard. I want to plant some blooming shrubs that THE DEER WON'T EAT! I would prefer native plants for the area. What should I look f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant plants for under cedar and oak trees in Austin June 22, 2010 I have about 1.5 acres in southern Travis county. It's full of mature live oaks and cedar trees, and the soil is full of limestone. I've been gathering the limestone and using them to create raise... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant wildflowers for Virginia May 25, 2010 Looking for deer-resistant native wild flowers for full-sun location in the Northern Neck of Virginia. We want to replace large area now grass lawn. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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