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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| Treatment of mealy bugs on house plants April 19, 2005 I have some house plants that have a "fungi" that has appeared and spread from one to the others. I believe it is killing the plants. It is a white fuzz the is sticky to the touch. when i whip it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Optimum pruning time for butterfly garden April 18, 2005 I am planting a butterfly garden that I would like to be pretty as well as beneficial for butterflies. If I am going to have both host plants and nectar plants in the garden and the butterflies will b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Asters bloom period April 16, 2005 When do the asters bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bare feet-friendly native groundcovers for New York April 14, 2005 We own land at elevation 1600', near Sherburn, NY. We want to walk barefoot around the tipi area, but don't want to plant grass (mowing grass). What native ground cover would be kind to bare feet ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Galls on live oak trees in Austin, TX April 14, 2005 I am a resident of a condominium complex in Austin that has numerous Live Oak trees. Can you explain what the gall type things are hanging from the trees at this time of year and all over the grounds?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on teddy bear vine April 13, 2005 I am looking for a plant called teddy bear vine. The scientific name is Cyanotis kewensis. I had one a long time ago (20+ years) and I loved it, but I can't find another one or find out whe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Differentiating between Spiraea betulifolia and Spiraea japonica April 12, 2005 How can I tell the difference between Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa (an imperiled species) and Spiraea japonica (an invasive species) in the wild? They both seem to be the same size, color, habi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Rain-lily April 12, 2005 What is the common lily (I think) that grows in the ditches and especially this year because of all the rain. The flower is trumpet shaped and has red stripes in the petals? Very common everywhere t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on southern magnolia April 11, 2005 I live in East Texas and there are two 50-year-old southern magnolia trees in front of my house on the highway right-of-way marked to be destroyed. The Texas Department of Transportation has allowed t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on spines April 09, 2005 What do you call part of a plant that is needle-like or has spikes or bristles? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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