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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| Breaking dormancy of native seeds November 22, 2006 The science of seed preservation seems to be well advanced. However, Jill Nokes' book appears to be the only well-known information about breaking dormancy of native seeds. I'm grateful that she w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of Bermuda grass in lawn November 22, 2006 Help! I am looking for a way to get rid of coastal bermuda grass in my yard, short of all out toxic chemical warfare. Is there any thing that can be used other than herbicides. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible woodpecker damage in Monterrey Oaks November 17, 2006 I live in NW Austin and have two Monterey Oak trees, each about 30 - 45 gal in size. They both were planted approximately 9 months ago. Both trees seem to have some cracking bark on the trunk along w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Frequency of mowing on native grasses November 17, 2006 I live on 5 acres in TX Hill Country. I love the native grasses when they are high and blowing, etc. My husband insists on mowing, claiming that by mowing, the grasses grow more rapidly over the dry... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Arborvitae as privacy screen in Maine November 17, 2006 I want to plant privacy bushes (arborvitae shrubs) around my back yard. My husband built a wall to retain the soil behind it. My neighbors' yards abut mine. They have a fence, but not high enough to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of symbiotic relationship between cedar elm and ashe juniper November 14, 2006 Is there a symbiotic relationship between cedar elm and ashe juniper? We have a small ashe juniper sapling and a small cedar elm sapling growing near each other (actually, we planted the juniper 2 yea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trailing milkvine, Matelea pubiflora, identified from seed pod November 10, 2006 I have a vine that has a seed pod that looks like okra. Inside the pod is a small flat seed and a cotton-looking fiber. Please help identify, if possible. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for wedding mid-spring in Austin, TX November 10, 2006 My fiancé and I are both native Texans, and we are looking to have a beautiful yet simple wedding on March 31, 2007. We would love to use TX wildflowers. Our colors are white, orange, and blue. Wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for rain garden in Collin Co., TX November 09, 2006 I am developing a Collin County Master Gardener’s program on Rain Gardens (in particular) and Rain Harvesting (generally.) I saw the recent article in your magazine about rain gardens and wondered if ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennial roof garden plants for New York November 09, 2006 I am looking for perennial roof gardens plants, sedum, hen and chickens, native plants. I am in zone six. They will have three inches of perilite, gravel, and compost. Can you give me a good local so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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