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 | |
| Butterfly/hummingbird garden in Texas September 09, 2005 I am coordinating a butterfly/hummingbird garden on 100 acres that our religious organization has. We want to use native Texas plants as much as possible. Are these two types of gardens compatible an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of hostas September 06, 2005 I have many different types of hostas in my yard. This year they bloomed abundantly and now have large pods where the blooms were which are full of seeds. My questions: 1. If I plant these pods, o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Fan Scarlet-Cardinal September 02, 2005 I have a lobelia x speciosa (Fan Scarlet-Cardinal) plant and was wondering if I should dead head it after blossoming so that the plant continues to flower. Can you help? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) August 30, 2005 I am moving into a new home and have been told that the two plants in my front yard are called Hearts of Sharon. I need to know how to care for them and when and how to prune them so that they dont gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fasciation on brown eyed Susan August 28, 2005 I have a flower in my garden that blooms every year. This year I have a very strange breed--there is a double flower. I do not know the name of the flower or what kind it is. I only know we nickname... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal uses of Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) August 28, 2005 What is the best way to extract the juice from the jewelweed plant? And, what can you do with it after that? I know it is considered a remedy for poison ivy and various other skin irritations. So then... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on pruning Clematis August 26, 2005 I would like to know about pruning clematis. The one I have is getting very large. Should I cut it back, and if so, in the Spring or Fall? I live in Michigan. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on CRABGRASS August 23, 2005 I live in Indiana and purchased native wildflower seeds from the soil and conservation district in my area. I completly tilled the 10x70 foot patch and planted the seeds as directed. Some of them are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on basketplant August 22, 2005 I want to buy a basketplant (Callisia fragrans). Do you know where can I buy it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Yerba de la Negrita August 22, 2005 I would like to know where I can get Yerba de la Negrita "Scarlet Globemallow". For what can I use it? What is it like? I have a rancho in Chihuahua Mexico and I wonder if it grows there. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |