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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Native wildflowers for caliche soil March 06, 2007 What kind of wildflower seeds can I plant on caliche soil. No water, other than rain, with some deer grazing. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rainwater harvesting March 06, 2007 I was told that you have info on setting up water collection systems. Is this information available on line? Thank you for your help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Thorns on non-native orange trees March 04, 2007 I just moved into a new home that has orange trees in the yard. The tree trunks and limbs are thorny. What kind of oranges are they? How should I care for them? Is it ok to cut off the thorns so t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants that will grow under alleopathic black walnut March 03, 2007 I have a large, beautiful black walnut tree in my yard and have trouble growing the annuals, begonia, impatients, etc., that I have always grown. They don't do well in the ground and I have resorted... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reversion of maroon bluebonnets back to blue March 01, 2007 In the fall, I bought a flat of Texas bluebonnets. They are blooming now, and it turns out they are actually maroon bluebonnets! Which is really too bad, because I want blue bluebonnets. Do you know i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Avoiding planting Indian Paintbrush in Hawaii because of invasiveness March 01, 2007 My daughter is living in Hilo, Hawaii. For her birthday, her boyfriend ordered her some Indian Paintbrush seeds. Trying to be sure she grows them correctly in a pot, she found instructions that say ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Optimum viewing time for Texas wildflowers, bluebonnets March 01, 2007 I will make a car trip from Alabama to Anson, Texas, in the next month or so. I would like to time my visit to see the Blue Bonnets and/or wildflowers blooming. Please advise me as to the best time t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Selenicereus anthonyanus, Rickrack or Fishbone Cactus February 28, 2007 A friend of mine gave me a plant he said was a rick rack plant. I have tried to research it on line with no luck and I don't know the scientific name...any help? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants that might absorb moisture from air February 27, 2007 I am searching for a plant that will reduce the relative humidity of a building. I work for a manufacturing company that is experiencing problems with water condensing on ceilings and equipment due t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Danger of seeds being damaged in cold stratifying February 27, 2007 I started cold stratifying some wildflower seeds with some damp cloths in a refrigerator to plant them in the spring. When I was finished preparing the seeds the refrigerator door was somehow left ope... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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