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?
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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Century plant dying after bloom April 06, 2006 Help!! I want to save my Century Plant from dying. I have already lost one and I don't want to lose this one. Can cutting the stalk before it gets too big save this beautiful plant? Please, pleas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ball moss (Tallandsia recurvata), epiphyte on oaks at Wildflower Center April 06, 2006 I visited your center a couple weeks ago, was very impressed with the educational aspects. I noticed the epiphyte commonly growing in the oak trees, and also on the elm oak. Do you have the name of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
More on bluebonnets April 05, 2006 Hello: We have been told that the sparse Bluebonnet appearance this Spring is due to sparse rainfall at the appropriate times. Were there fewer seeds to sprout and grow? Or are the seeds still ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sources of native herbaceous plants for Massachusetts April 04, 2006 Hi, I am looking for sources of native herbaceous plants, ideally in plug form, and wondered if you had a list you could send me. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possible reasons for death of Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) in Austin April 04, 2006 Several wax myrtles in my neighborhood appear to have died. Should we have the soil or tree checked for fungus, or should we atrribute the death to freeze or age of the trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Predictin bloom time for Indian Blankets (Gaillardia pulchella) April 04, 2006 Is there any way to predict when the Indian Blankets will bloom this year? I live in Dallas, and last year they were in peak bloom at Twelve Hills Nature Center (also in Dallas) around the 21st of Ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lopidea texana nymphs and adults feeding on Mountain Laurel in March April 04, 2006 What is the species name of the bright red bug (Miridae) nymphs and adults that are feeding on Texas Mountain Laurel leaves at this time (March 24) at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Whether Venus flytrap (dionaea muscipula) is endangered April 04, 2006 I am a 4th grader at Whitestone Elementary School in Leander, Texas. I am in the Quest program and I am doing a project on the venus flytrap and would like to ask you some questions. 1. Is there an ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Peak period for viewing Central Texas wildflowers March 31, 2006 My daughter lives in San Antonio now. I want to time my next visit with the peak period to blue bonnets and other TX wildflowers. When do you recommend that I visit and come to the Center for the fi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low maintenance, drought tolerant, native plants for school garden in Round Rock March 30, 2006 Our school is about to plant a memorial garden but need very drought tolerant plants and flowers as the schools water very little during the summer months. What would you suggest? The district does ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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