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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Propagation of American Bittersweet December 29, 2004 Will American Bittersweet grow in Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Visiting Texas for bluebonnets December 29, 2004 I know rainfall amounts in the winter affect the blooming of bluebonnets in the spring. I am thinking about visiting Texas this spring. What should I be looking for in rainfall amounts? I will watch... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources for buffalo grass seed in Junction, TX December 19, 2004 I'm looking for a local supplier for buffalograss sod near Junction, Texas. I want to have it installed on my dad's gravesite. The cemetary in Junction has minimal maintenance available and, of co... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Salvia greggii, Teresa December 09, 2004 My mother is trying to find a specific type of salvia that is pink and white striped. I haven't been able to find any information on it. Does it exist and if so, where can I find it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflower meadow gardening December 08, 2004 My local elementary school in Decatur, Texas (north central) has an open field of wonderful wildflowers in front of it. This year, they were mowed before the flowers went to seed. What is a good rul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflower guides December 07, 2004 Can you recommend a field guide to Texas plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets November 29, 2004 We would like to know if the bluebonnet wildflowers are suitable for New Orleans and, if so, which months should they be seeded. Otherwise what can you suggest for our humid climate. We like blue, lav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native landscaping and wildlife gardening in Clifton, TX November 29, 2004 I am moving to Clifton, TX, and I will have an empty lot in the town along with my own home/lot. What kind of soil can I expect? I want to grow a wildflower site to just sit and enjoy and feed the a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasiveness of non-native Lonicera fragrantissima in Austin November 21, 2004 A couple of years ago I mistakenly bought Lonicera fragrantissima (winter bush honeysuckle), thinking it was native. I have since discovered that it is native to China and considered invasive... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on earliest blooming wildflowers November 19, 2004 For Spring, what are the earliest blooming wild flowers and when do they typically bloom? I know it's terribly early to be predicting these things, but any idea if the 2005 Bluebonnet crop in Austi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on garden weddings November 19, 2004 What native perennial plants should reliably be in bloom March 5? I am an avid gardener and having a garden wedding next year (March 5, 2005). For table center pieces, I am hoping to buy flats of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bacterial wetwood disease in ash tree November 11, 2004 I have an Ash tree in my front yard. It's about 25 - 30 years old. About 2 months ago, it began to ooze sap from a point where a limb had been pruned, I'd say, about 15 - 20 years ago. So this cut ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poor drainage in wildflower bed November 10, 2004 I have a flower bed that has given me difficulty because it has poor drainage but typically receives sun for most of the day. Salvia gregii was the only survivors for the initial landscaping attempt. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Optimum mowing times for wildflower garden November 09, 2004 I live in Washington County and have 4 acres that contain both an abundance of spring wildflowers and native grasses (silver and little bluestem, Texas grama). The homeowners restrictions require that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Katy Ruellia November 08, 2004 What can you tell me about Katy Ruellia? I need something with color that will take the hot southeast Texas summers and the cold/wet winters that stays decent and will flower. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennial winter plants for Waco, TX November 03, 2004 I live in the Waco area, and would like to know winter plants that I could use that would come back each year, flowering or otherwise. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of yellow columbine November 03, 2004 I purchased a yellow columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha and your website says it grows in moist upland soils, and yet it shows their habitat as Utah, Arizona, NM, and sw Texas. Tell me how it can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Value of planting wildflowers versus maintaining turf November 02, 2004 I'm trying to determine the cost/value of planting wildflowers and whether it is less costly than maintaining turf. Do you have any research on this topic? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on books for Southwest New Mexico November 01, 2004 Which book would you reccommend for Native plants and flowers for Southwest New Mexico - Silver City area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Poisonous Plants October 27, 2004 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I wonder who among the wonderful staff at the Wildflower Center can answer this. I occasionally get requests for information on toxic or irritating plants. Beyond the obvious ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible reasons for early leaf drop of post oaks in Austin October 27, 2004 I have a post oak tree in my back yard that has been losing its leaves since mid-September. This is my first year in the house, and I am surprised that the tree would lose its leaves while the temper... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indian paintbrush wedding October 20, 2004 I live in western Montana and have become quite fond of the flower known as indian paintbrush. I will be getting married this next July, and would like to incorporate the flower into my wedding; Howe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to plant in northern Virginia October 20, 2004 We have recently purchased 10 acres in Northern Virginia, and would like to plant native wildflowers on 4 of the acres. The soil has a high clay content and is currently covered in a mixture of grasse... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low maintenance, native plants for sloping drive near Philadelphia October 20, 2004 My cabin is located in the northwest suburbs of Philadelphia. I am looking for low maintenance plants that would look good on the sides of a driveway that slopes upward. This is a potential project fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering native plants for Arizona October 19, 2004 I was wondering if you could help me? We are moving from California to Arizona, and I was wondering if you can tell me some flowering plants, or any plants that will thrive in the hot Arizona tempera... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Part sun and part shade October 19, 2004 What is the difference between part sun and part shade? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on edible and medicinal native plants October 06, 2004 I would like a list of edible & medicinal native plants for the San Antonio area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disposal of non-native chinaberry and ligustrum and their seeds October 06, 2004 I've got some chinaberry and ligustrum in a section of our lot that I am going to remove to make room for native plants. Both have berries, & I was wondering if running them through a chipper will ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Texas maple keys October 05, 2004 I'm looking for a source for native Texas maple keys. Know of any? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of native black-eyed susans after blooming September 30, 2004 What is the best way to take care of black-eyed susans once they have lost their blooms? Am I supposed to cut them down to the base, or just let them die out naturally. Also, they all have a white re... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants on mowing schedules September 23, 2004 What would be the ideal mowing schedule to allow for a spring and summer bloom of wildflowers? My neighborhood maintains it's own roadsides and has the opportunity to increase the number of wildflowe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer deterrent for Texas Persimmon September 23, 2004 The deer have destroyed my Texas Persimmon by standing on their hind legs and pulling down the branches--either ripping them off entirely or twisting them. I didn't realize the persimmon fruit would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Poisonous Trees September 23, 2004 Are redbuds and catalpa trees poisonous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting wildflowers before construction begins September 23, 2004 Can wildflowers be transplanted? I'm building a house and wonder what can I save before the builder clears the lot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wildflower identification September 23, 2004 Can you recommend a good CD-ROM on wildflower identification? I live in Virginia and am constantly frustrated trying to identify the myriad wildflowers I encounter as I move around the state. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Science project on invasive plants in American Samoa September 23, 2004 What is an experiment I can do on invasive plant species for a science project? What are some main invasive plant species found in American Samoa? Where can I go to find more information on invasive ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weed laws on mowing wildflowers in the Spring September 22, 2004 Is there any law that would prevent a Town from making a person mow their wildflowers down in the spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting a container of wildflower seeds in Dallas September 20, 2004 I have purchased a 1 # container of wild flower seeds in North Dallas. When can I throw these seeds in a nearby field, & is it advantageous to do it during a rain? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on caliche September 03, 2004 I have heard of sand, silt, clay, and loam, but what is caliche? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Help with plant ID September 01, 2004 I found this plant alongside the road in a field in North Dallas. The dirt was fairly dry, and image is attached. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native, hybrid petunias August 31, 2004 I have a beautiful Petunia Tiny Tunia Violet plant which has been flowering nicely (in sun and shade environment). Suddenly, a few days ago, it began to look like it's dying--stalks all dried out. Is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |