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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| Tradescantia as a water plant June 13, 2007 I have a spiderwort plant, and when I found it at the nursery, it was in water by the pond plants, (I had no idea what kind of plant it was at the time) So I bought it, took it home, and repotted it w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Achillea millefolium May 28, 2007 I had a clump of yarrow in my garden and was worried that it would become very aggressive to the other plants. I decided to transplant it into large clay pots to control it. Immediately after the tran... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Understory plants for Tuolumne Co., CA May 14, 2007 My driveway is lined with purple plum trees. I would like to grow something underneath them. What can I grow that will not harm the root system/health of the trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowers for color year round May 02, 2007 I have the opportunity to recommend plants for a religious organization. They want YEAR ROUND color in some areas, much like how commercial sites use annual color. I would like to suggest native/ada... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta) plants be cut back May 02, 2007 I have black-eyed susan plants that were beautiful last year and flowered for a long time. Do they need to be cut back and if so, how much? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Iris brevicaulis in Southwest Michigan April 22, 2007 We live in Kalamazoo, MI (Southwest Michigan Zone 6) and discovered last year that we have an iris brevicaulis (we think) growing (and very pretty) on our property. It has the "zig zag" stem. It see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Companion plants for irises April 22, 2007 Hello...what do you suggest as a companion plant for irises? I live in the Texas Hill Country. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suggested plants for between flagstones in Austin, TX March 24, 2007 I would like to plant something between my flagstones on patio. I am taking up the cement mortar and want something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little traffic. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suppliers for Lantana urticoides March 23, 2007 I would like to plant yellow Lantana in my beds because of the hot drought conditions we have in north central Texas. Where can I find this to plant now? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native sedges for Texas March 07, 2007 What can you tell me about Texas Blue Sedge? What its true name and culture requirements? 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 | ||
| Pruning for Spring January 21, 2007 When should I cut back (and how far should I cut back) the following plants in order to promote growth in the spring: Salvia gregii, Salvia leucantha, Ruellia (Mexican petunia), Plumbago, Sku... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with sunflowers in Florida November 03, 2006 I planted sunflowers on the west side of my house where I have previously planted them and they grew wonderfully. These new ones, however, seem to be dying, (less than 2 weeks). I bought the plants at... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Technique of using cut flowers to make paper October 18, 2006 Have an inquiry regarding how to locate (or if such a craft/technique exists) someone or some service that is aware of a process to take fresh-cut flowers & dry & press them into paper or onto paper t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for pots for wedding in November October 03, 2006 Will any of the plants that are in your big plant sale be flowering in November? I am looking for plants that would do well in pots because I'd like to use them as center pieces at a wedding (in Aus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fall blooming time for Copper Canyon Daisies August 31, 2006 None of our Copper Canyon Daisies bloomed this year. Can you tell us why? They have been prolific bloomers in past summers. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems in germination of Asclepias tuberosa in New York August 31, 2006 I am a member of the Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College and I need information on Acleptis tuberosa. I am in USDA zone 6. Last year I planted fresh seeds purchased from Johnny's S... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Salvia, geum transplant shock symptoms July 21, 2006 I need some help. I transplanted 2 xeriscape plants and they are not doing well. 1 is Pitcher Sage-sorry I don't know botanical name; the other is White Avens. The've grown a lot but all the leave... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Root rot and transplant shock in Texas betony July 13, 2006 Texas betony is supposed to be drought resistant but also likes to be kept moist, but I have had trouble getting it established. These seem to be undemanding plants I have had entire stems dry up and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Manor, TX in Blackland Prairie ecoregion June 27, 2006 Hi, I am planning an event for my community in Shadowglen and Manor, TX so my neighbors can learn about using native plants in the landscape to create healthier habitat for wildlife and be more respon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pictures and information on Scutellaris laterifolia, Blue Skullcap June 19, 2006 I am trying to find information on Scutellaria laterifolia (skullcap), of the plant family "labiatea". Do you have any info or pictures? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Texas Hill Country nitrogen-fixing plants June 07, 2006 Please help me find a listing of native (TX Hill Country) nitrogen-fixing plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants to preserve soil on river bank May 28, 2006 I live in eastern Massachusetts. We have a small stream in our backyard and a woodland area on the other side. Japanese Knotweed is pretty well established on the opposite bank of the stream from our ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for full sun and low maintenance May 13, 2006 I have volunteered to plant flowers/bushes around a sign at my church. I want to plant indigenous plants so the maintenance is low but I also want attractive plants. The soil is clay and the locatio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Xeriscaping in clay on a slope in Fort Worth April 06, 2006 Xeriscaping in clay (Fort Worth) on a slope -- Please offer suggestions and publications. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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