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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Plants for butterflies, birds and bees at 7000 feet in Arizona April 28, 2009 What are the best plants for feeding and sheltering bees, butterflies, and birds in/near Flagstaff AZ. We are at 7,000 feet elevation and I am finding it very difficult to create a backyard habitat. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder April 24, 2009 I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies in Michigan April 19, 2009 I am wanting to raise Painted Lady butterflies and release them into my garden. I know that they like to eat Mallow plants, but I was wondering what kind of Mallow plant would be best for my garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Attracting birds in Greenville, SC April 15, 2009 Hi, I live in Northeastern South Carolina near the mountains and I am making a shade garden in my back yard. I also want to attract birds to my yard. There are 100 ft tall and even some 125 ft tal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for butterflies and hummingbirds in Louisville, KY March 31, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Louisville KY. I have a waterfall and ponds connected by a small stream. I want to plant several plants around my waterfall- approx. 20 sq ft on both sides of waterfall.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants that ducks and geese will not eat March 23, 2009 Hello, I have a pet duck and goose. Who I love dearly and have built two ponds for.. one 4ft deep the other 6ft deep. The ponds are for their use, first and for most, but I would like to have a plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizing oaks to produce more acorns March 04, 2009 What type of fertilizer would I use on oak trees to possibly increase growth and acorn production ? I have some flooded oak timber that is home to migrating ducks but there is little for them to eat. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Memorial garden in Georgia December 08, 2008 I would like to plant a memorial garden in memory of my mother. She loved butterflies and bulbs blooming. Our backyard is shaded by large oaks and pines. A pool is located to the right, a large fire... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are there no monarch butterflies feeding on my milkweed October 29, 2008 I brought a milkweed from LA that has orange and yellow flowers. I live in Denton, TX. I haven't seen any eggs from the monarchs yet. Do the monarchs live on different milkweed in TX? I looked up ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Understory plants for creek side in Austin September 22, 2008 We live along Shoal Creek in central Austin and would like to establish a natural balance of vegetation along the creek. We currently have a high tree canopy made up of native Cedar Elms. What would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |