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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| Coreopsis failing to bloom in Sonora CA August 04, 2009 My Coreopsis buds form and then die. Very few open. The plants are two and three years old, in a clay type soil. Is it possible they're getting too much water, and that is whats making the buds die ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Worms on blackeyed susans and daisies in Tuckerton NJ July 30, 2009 I have black eyed susans and white daisies planted together. Not sure if this makes a difference. Today I noticed that there are tiny worms on both the plants they are almost the size of silk worms. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of tall garden phlox buds to open in St. Louis MO July 30, 2009 Why won't the buds of my tall garden phlox open? Plants are apparently healthy, no powdery mildew or visible insects, foliage looks great and buds are profuse but they don't open. I have two clumps ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need recommendations for native plants on a dry sunny hillside in Baltimore Maryland. July 28, 2009 Need native recommendations for sunny, dry hillside for ground cover or shrub in Maryland. Mowing the grass is a pain and an energy waster (and I don't want to be tempted to extend some adjacent exi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungal root rot in non-native Shasta daisies in Channahon IL July 21, 2009 HELP! My Shasta daisies have fungal root rot. Is there any way to save them? I've been removing the browned stems. I'm so sad. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Coltsfoot invasive in Rindge NH July 21, 2009 I live in Rindge NH. My question is how do I stop colts foot from taking over my land? It is getting out of hand. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is purple coneflower native to Colorado? July 20, 2009 I have seen the purple cone flower growing wild in Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. Is it a native to that state or has it been brought in? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification from Springfield MA July 19, 2009 We have a house next to us that is vacant. The lawn has not been mowed in months. a tall flower has grown amongst the grass and weeds. It is about 3 to 4 feet tall green stem and the flower is about 2... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does a cenizo really predict rain in Austin? July 18, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, folklore has it that the flowering of Cenizo (aka Barometer Bush) is a predictor of rain fall. The Cenizo in South Austin is blooming profusely right now. Does this portend a Noac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennials for Donley County, TX July 16, 2009 What are the best perennials to plant in Donley County, TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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