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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| Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) July 02, 2014 Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is not a native U.S. plant. It was introduced to the U.S. from Europe and is now considered invasive in many parts of the western U.S. It invades our forested wild land... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' (Cardinal Candy) toxic to horses? July 01, 2014 Is Viburnum-Cardinal Candy/Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' reported to be toxic or non-toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can non-native Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus) be grown in Round Rock, Texas? July 01, 2014 Can the Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus) be grown in the Round Rock Texas area or is this area too hot for it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Differences between Desmodium and Lespedezda June 19, 2014 i am trying to determine the difference between lespedeza and desmodium in my full sun wildflower and tall grasses meadow. There appear to be a number of different types of these plants, and they are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 12, 2014 We live in Magnolia TX and have a shrub we can't identify. It's evergreen and has waxy leaves with a serrated edge that are about an inch in length. They have pink flowers and they grow to ab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reblooming Potted Iris June 12, 2014 I have a pot of iris bulbs that are giving me just a bunch of leaves this year. Last year I had wonderful big blooms. Any suggestions about what I could do to get some flowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Distinguishing native Celastrus scandens from non-native C. Orbiculatus from Lexington MA June 08, 2014 Dear Mr. Plants, I maintain a wildflower garden with the Lexington Field and Garden Club in Lexington, Massachusetts. Every year, I pull up sprouts of Celastris orbiulatis. I want to plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Red poppies to bloom in November from Round Rock TX June 08, 2014 Hi, I want to plant poppy seed so that they bloom in November for Veterans and Remembrance Day. Can you offer any guidance? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant time for small smoke tree from Battle Ground WA June 01, 2014 When do I transplant a smoke tree that is still young, about a foot high? It is too close to a fence, which I fear will be a problem as it gets big. I live in Battle Ground, WA which is zone 6. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native artichoke from El Paso, TX May 25, 2014 I have a five year old artichoke plant in the ground that gets sun and some shade, has plenty of fertilizer and compost. Gets enough water. It has been beautiful in years past and last year had 10 a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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