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 | |
| Smarty Plants on Kokias January 27, 2005 I am searching for seeds of different Kokias (Kokia cookei, K. drynariodes and K. kauaiensis) and Thespesias (Thespesia grandiflora, T. thespesioides, T. nerifolia and T. popul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Peak times for viewing wildflowers in Texas January 25, 2005 We are planning a trip to Texas to see wildflowers this spring. I have time off March 17-25. Would you expect to see much in bloom then? What area might be the best to visit? Does anyone put reports o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for native Orobanche plant seeds for research January 20, 2005 I'm looking for native Orobanche plant seeds for a research project, but have had no luck so far. We've been able to locate lots of sources for the noxious weed Orobanche (from Europe), but none for... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of native blackhaw or non-native ligustrum in Austin January 16, 2005 I have a native tree in my yard, ca.15-20 feet tall, that has glossy, rounded dark leaves and small clusters of dark purplish berries. (It also has very weak limbs - perhaps grows too fast for its ow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennials for moist shade in Missouri January 16, 2005 I live near Adrian, Mo (s of KC by an hour). I currently have a small hillside that is covered by trees and shaded all day and also seems to hold moisture really well. The hill seems to grow a littl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of growing oak-leaf hydrangea in Comal County, TX January 08, 2005 In the last issue of the magazine, there was an item about the oak leaf hydrangea which stated the plant's habitat is east of the Mississippi River. Can it be grown in Comal County? Any special nee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sources of cold hardy, native wildflowers in upstate New York January 07, 2005 We are looking for the best wildflower varieties with some challenging requirements. First, we need cold hardy varieties. We are in USDA area 5 in upstate NY. Second, our lot is by a lake bordered b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Isocoma pluriflora January 07, 2005 I would like to know when isocoma pluriflora (rayless goldenrod) blooms in the Santa Fe, N.M. area. I'd also like to know its height. Other info will also be appreciated. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native Littleleaf Boxwood and native alternatives for Baltimore January 06, 2005 I am looking for a small hedge or shrub, that will look nice year round, and won't get too large. I live in Baltimore, MD. I have heard of Winter Gem Boxwood. Will this prove hardy in my area? H... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Elimination of bermuda grass from St. Augustine lawn January 04, 2005 Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, I am so frustrated with the bermuda grass mixed with St. Augustine grass. I have tried Ortho-B-gone but it did not work. Is there any measure to kill the Bermuda grass but not... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |