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 | |
| Guidelines for planting native wildflowers on roadside November 17, 2005 My 4th grade Girl Scout troop has chosen to plant bluebonnets and other wild flowers along TX Hwy 114 in Southlake as their project for their Bronze Award. Do you have a guideline that you follow w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locating milkweed to feed larvae of Monarch butterfly November 17, 2005 A monarch butterfly on her way south, stopped and laid her eggs on a tropical milkweed. The larvae have hatched and now I want to insure their survival, but I only had 1 plant which they have strippe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Questioning native status of Alberta Spruce in New Jersey November 11, 2005 I am in the process of transforming my yard to native plants. Several years ago I planted a Dwarf Alberta Spruce. I want to be sure this isn't native before I remove it but haven't been able to fi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of non-native, poisonous oleanders November 11, 2005 How do I propagate oleanders? Can the cuttings be rooted in water? Or is it better to use rooting hormone and stick the cuttings in the soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hibiscus wilt in Texas Star hibiscus November 10, 2005 I have a Texas star hibiscus on my deck. It flourished all summer, but not quite a month ago, the leaves turned yellow and fell off. Will it come back? What happened??? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cotton root rot in Purple Sage, Leucophyllus frutescens November 09, 2005 We had three Purple Sage shrubs in our front yard. They did very well for about three years and then this past year they just died. From what I have read they are pretty hardy so we are really stum... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where and when bloom; will they bloom in artificial light November 06, 2005 Do wildflowers grow through out the world, even in desert and Arctic regions? When do they bloom? Will they bloom in artificial light? What is the most interesting fact about wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pineapple plant care November 05, 2005 Hello, I have a new pineapple plant that is still very small 1-2 inches around the fruit at most. The fruit has recently turned a deep yellow as if it were ripe. I am wondering if it can be ripe at su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Conditions for wisteria bloom on Ontario, Canada November 05, 2005 I live in Ontario Canada, and about 4 years ago I bought a shrub which was called wisteria. I loved this bush when I visited a cousin out in British Columbia. The problem is it has no trouble growing ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Pinguicula October 28, 2005 Does any plant of the genus Pinguicula (butterworts) grow wild in israel--maybe in Mount Hermon or Upper Galile?. israeli carnivorous plant society couldn't give me a clear answer about this issue. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |