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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| Maintenance of Bicolor Sage in Austin February 05, 2009 I had quite a bit of Bicolor Sage planted when my yard was landscaped. I am now wondering on the proper plant maintenance. Do I prune back and if so, how much and when do I prune? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Resurrection plant not reviving. February 04, 2009 I have what might be a resurrection plant but it never turns green. When it is watered it opens up and turns from tan to dark brown. Is it just a different variety of resurrection plant or something... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Companion plant for columbine in Summer February 01, 2009 Please suggest a companion plant for Texas columbine that will hide them when they are ragged in summer but won't interfere with their seeding out to make new plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| First wildflower to bloom in Madison Ohio February 01, 2009 What is the first wildflower to bloom in spring in Madison, Ohio 44057. Is it the snowdrop? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for under a fountain splash line in California January 29, 2009 What plants should we plant under our fountain's splash line in our Mediterranean style courtyard? The area will get wet from the fountain's splashing and have "full" sun. We are on a rock ridge... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowers for cutting for wedding in June January 25, 2009 My husband and I are hosting a wedding reception for our daughter and her husband in Austin in June. If possible, we would like to use live flowers or live colorful plants as centerpieces and decorat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locating ruda plants in Florida January 24, 2009 Where I can find or who sells Ruda plants? in the Miami, Florida area ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Drought-resistant plants for Paradise, California January 23, 2009 We are moving to a new home in Paradise, CA. What drought resistant plants do well in Paradise ? Thank you !! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Floristic Quality Assessment program in Texas? January 19, 2009 Do you have knowledge of a Floristic Quality Assessment program for Texas such as the ones used in Indiana and Illinois? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen plants with showy flowers for pots in Central Texas January 14, 2009 I'm looking for evergreen plants with showy flowers suitable for Central Texas. Plants need to do well in pots.. they will be planted in flower boxes in my very sunny porch. thanks!!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seed for Kosteletzkya virginica, salt marsh mallow January 13, 2009 I have a nursery in North Carolina. We are looking for a reliable seed source for kosteletzkya virginica salt marsh mallow. We are www.campbellfamilynursery.com View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What flowers will ducks and swans not eat? January 11, 2009 I live by ducks and swans. They love eating my flowers. Any suggestions on what flowering plants they won't eat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for pavilion over fountain in Washington State December 26, 2008 I have a tall fountain in a 7 foot square which is surrounded by pavers. Inside the 7' square there is about a 2' mulched soil bed around the center fountain and an iron type pavilion that goes up h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More questions about Asclepias spp. December 24, 2008 Hi. Thank-you for replying to my message. What does Emory's Milkweed look like? I have been trying to find out, but no luck. Also What Milkweeds did you find for sale as seeds and plants? Does Texas ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant that can move from outside to inside for Denton, TX December 14, 2008 I am looking for a plant that is either native to Texas or is well acclimated to the Denton TX area that can move from a covered outside area to an adjacent indoor area behind large glass walls, to a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flower bed with part sun December 05, 2008 I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Berms to hold water around roots December 05, 2008 I planted new flower beds this November. There are currently dirt 'berms' around each plant - creating a well for water to seep into the immediate plant area. How can I keep these berms from erodi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants native to Galveston that would survive in Austin December 01, 2008 What plants are native to the Galveston, Texas region? Can any of those plants survive in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small area native plant gardening for an apartment November 14, 2008 Mr.Smarty, We live in an apartment and are fortunate to have a small area, 5'x5', and so want color! Here in Houston the winters don't freeze much and the summers are HOT. Luckily, we are in the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tropical looking plants for pool area in California November 14, 2008 I am looking for small tropical looking plants, groundcover, and 2-small trees for around my pool. They have to be non-toxic to dogs,cats, and people. They can't attract bees/wasps, or have a root ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Mexican bonebract in Floresville, TX November 12, 2008 My kids and I finally identified a small plant that we found growing in our pasture. There was only one and it is lovely. It is the Mexican Bonebract. What I am interested in finding out is how to tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sun tolerant, rabbit-resistant plants in Plano, TX November 07, 2008 I live in Plano, Texas and am trying to identify sun tolerant plants for my landscape that are also rabbit resistant. The rabbits have taken over and destroy pansies, marigolds, etc. I am looking fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Overwintering a Juncus effusus in Great Neck, NY October 23, 2008 Can I over winter a juncus effusus spiralis indoors or must it be kept outdoors? Whether indoors or outdoors, what is the proper way to keep it alive during the winter months? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Watering for Scarlett Milkweed in Florida October 18, 2008 I have a Scarlett Milkweed and it was doing very well until this last week. It now has yellow leaves that are falling off and no flowers. It says on the tag that the water is low once it is establishe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mildew in Phlox paniculata October 13, 2008 I planted garden phlox (phlox paniculata) in my front landscaping and it is suffering from mildew. It is wet on that side due to a down spout and it may benefit from being split. Does anyone know of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting iris rhizomes in Wisconsin October 10, 2008 I live in central WI and was given some iris bulbs (think they are called Rhizomes) and have no idea how to go about planting them. I am very new to planting so step by step instructions with good de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a drainage easement in central Texas September 29, 2008 I have a 1/3 acre of drainage easement behind my home. I would like to cover it with wildflowers. It is only wet during or shortly after a rain and otherwise does not have water. I have channelled ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for an orchid August 31, 2008 I have another question. How do I care for an orchard. I have had it close to a year and it hasn't grown. How much water do they take. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant for eastern facing side of house in Washington August 26, 2008 I was considering putting some Lily of the Nile in front of the eastern facing side of my home. Is this plant a suitable choice for planting here in Eastern Washington? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf browning on blackfoot daisy in Arizona August 26, 2008 Blackfoot daisy plant was doing great; then, in one day, it turned brown like it had no water. Have a watering system in place which waters once a day for one hour 1/2 gallon a hour. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dying blackeyed Susans in new garden in Pennsylvania August 26, 2008 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants! I have recently planted black eyed susans in a newly dug garden along with some cone flowers. The other flowers are doing fine but the black eyed susans have all dried up and are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of rain lilies in Aledo, TX August 24, 2008 How do I get rain lilies to stop growing in my yard? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is the Obedient Plant a bog plant? August 16, 2008 I purchased 2 obedient plants at a farmer's market in Michigan. As I was unfamiliar with this plant, the merchant told me it did well in full sun. It was just what I needed. When I got home I look... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Texas Star hibiscus July 31, 2008 Why is my Texas star plant wilting and now is starting to turn yellow? I just bought it from a nursery and put it in a new pot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cotton plant for yard in Plano July 27, 2008 I wish to plant a specimen cotton plant in my yard - will it grow in Plano, Texas, do you have any tips for maintaining them, and will they survive freezing temperatures? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to get rid of plants spreading fluffy seeds July 27, 2008 I live in Blaine, MN next to a Lake. The "buffer zones" next to the lake are filled with native grasses, weeds & wildflowers. We are trying to identify a plant that blooms July with lavender flowe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas natives to plant in July and August July 23, 2008 My husband and I have a disaster of a lawn that we were planning to develop slowly, over time, with a sustainable design we contracted from a landscape designer. However, we are having to move out of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of previously-planted perennials July 23, 2008 HI I JUST MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE THIS YEAR THE PREVIOUS OWNERS PLANTED A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL PERENNIALS BUT I WANTED TO PLANT OVER ONE OF THE PERENNIALS THAT I REALLY DO NOT CARE FOR. IS THAT POSSIBLE? I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blossom fall after rain on Polystachys lutea, Shrimp Lollipop July 17, 2008 I live in San Antonio and had previously bought shrimp lollipop plants and after the rain we had recently all the blooms fell off. So my question is did it die or should I just leave it alone? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to hide utility boxes July 16, 2008 What are suggestions for plants to plant around utilities boxes (3 of them clustered together) to effectively camouflage them but be attractive. We will outline a larger area in brick, plant evergree... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of coreopsis July 16, 2008 Hi, 2 things..asked a question last yr re: scuttelaria (sp)-purple etc..you could not locate. Finally did at High Country Gardens in NM. Now a new question: Cannot get my coreopsis to bloom.. Have di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Plumeria in Ohio July 15, 2008 Can I grow plumeria in Ohio? We were in Hawaii this past week and I brought two plants home to try to grow. Thanks a bunch. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen native plants for slope in South Carolina July 14, 2008 We would like to plant an evergreen garden in our backyard, which is on a slope. It receives the sun from approx 9-4. We have an above ground pool, and patio area. Would also like a recommendation of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shriveling and dying of non-native impatiens July 14, 2008 Several years now many of my impatiens after a month or so seem to shrivel up and eventually die. They are planted in a row and not all are affected. I am not noticing any slug evidence which I would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deadheading a petunia and why July 13, 2008 Can you please tell me the correct way to de-head a petunia and why? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants that are dog-proof in South Texas July 13, 2008 I live in Odem, Texas and would like to use only native plants in my front and backyard. I have two puppies who love to dig. What plants should I use that require minimal attention from me and will no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of Gerbera daisies in hanging basket July 08, 2008 I had perennial Gerbera daisies in a hanging basket, the flowers died,I was not sure whether to remove just the flower or to go from the flower to the stem at the plants main stem? There is nothing re... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of tropical plumeria July 04, 2008 I have had my plumeria for the past five years. The first three years it bloomed but has not the past two. The plant is healthy and continues to grow but will not flower. It seems to be very health... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystic Spires salvia in transplant shock July 04, 2008 Hello. I live in Taylor, Tx. Just outside Austin, Texas. I recently planted mystic spires. One gallons and will receive the hot afternoon sun. All the research says they can tolerate this location. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low maintenance plants for crack in concrete July 01, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I would like to grow some very low maintenance weeds, mosses and flowers out of a crack in a slab of concrete. Can you recommend any species that would do well in this sort... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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