Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
| topic | question | |
| Tree or shrub with non-invasive roots from San Jose CA June 16, 2013 I am looking for a small tree/ large shrub (non higher than a one story roof) with non-invasive roots to replace a 25 foot cedar. It is in a small area (5x 7) bordered to the side by a driveway... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of flower similar to bluebell in Washington June 16, 2013 Is there somewhere I can submit a picture to see what kind of flower it is? It looks like a bluebell but more star shaped. Found on the side of the road in Oak Harbor, WA View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can Monterrey Oak be topped into a bush from Austin TX June 16, 2013 I received a suggestion to use Monterey oak as privacy hedge by topping the small tree and letting it bush. I can't find any pictures or info on this being done though. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for Globe Thistle in Virginia June 15, 2013 Hi, We are trying to get our garden to be 100% North American Native and are at about 90% native to our region. One of the last plants we have to replace is our Globe Thistle. Do you have a good r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Drought & Deer Resistant Shrub for Shade in Medina, TX June 14, 2013 We are dedicated to native plants in Medina, but are desperate to find a drought and deer resistant shrub for shade. Would we be too far off base with an oleander bush? We know birds and most butterfl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pill bugs in potted plants in Atlanta GA June 14, 2013 Hello, I repotted four aloe vera plants two days ago with a cacti soil and watered them thorougly in tera cotta pots according to directions on the bag. Well the next morning the pots had pill bugs ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trouble with live oak in McKinney, TX June 13, 2013 We moved into a suburban home with a live oak tree with a trunk diameter of about 50". I noticed recently how yellow the leaves look compared to the other live oak in the yard. There is not a pattern... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardy taproot trees for Oklahoma City June 13, 2013 What are some hardy tap root trees for central Oklahoma? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can animals eat bottlebrush buckeye without being poisoned? June 13, 2013 Can deer, bear and wild turkey and squirrels eat the nuts and leaves from the bottlebrush buckeye shrub without being posioned by it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown rings on grass under live oaks in Austin June 13, 2013 There are brown rings in the grass at the dripline on several Live Oak trees in our neighborhood. What causes this? The trees appear healthy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |