Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers Nan Hampton, Jimmy Mills and Barbara Medford to be the culpable and capable parties. Yet, others think staff members Damon Waitt, Joe Marcus and Philip Hawkins might play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Questions From Near You
Guymon, OK
Identification of plant known as mosquito plant (Agastache cana)
I received some seeds from an annual plant that came from Bowie, Tx. It has square stems, like mint plants, medium size leaves turns purple when in the sun and had a strong odor when brushed against. ...
view the full question and answer
Perryton, TX
Vines for Texas Panhandle
I need a fast-growing vine for our pergola that does not attract bees or wasps. It will be in full sun in the panhandle of Texas--two hours north of Amarillo.
view the full question and answer
Pampa, TX
Transplanting honeysuckle
How do I transplant Honeysuckle?
view the full question and answer
Pampa, TX
Seed sources for Mexican Gama Grass
I'm trying to find a seed source for Mexican Gama Grass (scientific name is Tripsacum lanceolatum). Can you help me? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Corpus Christi, TX
Adding Wildflowers to Corpus Christi
I have a dry sandy yard, full sun in Corpus Christi with lot's of stickers mostly, want to transform to wildflowers. When should I plant, how should I prepare soil, should I dig out stickers? Which w...
view the full question and answer
Garden City, KS
Withering plants recover with water
Why do withering plants stand up when you give them water?
view the full question and answer
Garden City, KS
Will a chile pequin survive winters in Garden City, Kansas
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,
I am trying to determine if a chile pequin (Capsicum annuum) can survive Kansas winters. My sister lives in Killeen, TX, and has a couple of these bushes in her yard. She broug...
view the full question and answer
Gage, OK
How to distinguish male and female grape vines in Gage OK.
Are there male and female plants for wild grapes? If so, how do we tell the difference?
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Is there an App for that?
Do you have an app like leafsnap that my students can use to identify the plants around our school? I would like them to take a picture of the leaf of each plant with their iPads and have your data b...
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Native plant education
Do you provide resources about native plants to middle school educators?
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Buying bluebonnet plants for project in Amarillo TX
Is there anywhere I can buy some bluebonnet plants by March 1, 2013 for a school project? We are growing some, but they are just up.
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Wanting to grow a Buckley Oak in Amarillo, TX
I live in Amarillo Texas in the Texas Panhandle. I recently became interested in the Buckley Oak and was wondering if it might grow well here and if so, where I might find one that I could purchase a...
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Jelly made from local plums from Amarillo TX
On Wednesday, August 5, 2009 you answered a question on native plants in the Austin area in which you wrote:"Two kinds of local plums have also been used to make jellies: Mexican Plum (Prunus mexican...
view the full question and answer
amarillo, TX
Watering newly-planted Afghan Pines
I just planted some Afghan pines in Amarillo, tx (avg. rainfall about 2O in. Per year) What would be the appropriate amount of water and how often would I need to water during this time.
view the full question and answer
amarillo, TX
Do Maple trees and Poplars grow well in Amarillo,TX?
Do maple trees and poplars grow well in Amarillo Texas? I love the fall reds, oranges, and yellows. If they don't grow well can you recommend some trees that have the color that will grow well?
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree in Amarillo?
How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree? I live in Amarillo, TX. If you can't stop the progression, how do you keep the tree alive?
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Sources for non-native seeds from Amarillo TX
Hello It is possible to get this kind of seeds from you?.. Thanks! :
Hiptage Benghalensis (Hiptage, Helicopter Flower)
Crescentia Cujete (Calabash Tree, Krabasi, Kalebas, Huingo)
Macaranga Grandi...
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Plants to grow under elm tree in Amarillo TX
I have a large elm tree and I can't get seem to get anything to grow under it. I was wondering if there are any shade-loving groundcovers that you would recommend (have tried English Ivy, hostas, an...
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Source for seed of Blackfoot Daisy from Amarillo TX
I need help finding Melampodium leucanthum seed. I have spent the last few hours on the web searching for them. I checked the resources in your lists and cannot find seed. I live in Potter Coun...
view the full question and answer
Amarillo, TX
Tolerance of plants in area of Amarillo TX
I want to know tolerance in the Amarillo area for Diospyros texana, Berberis trifoliata, and Capsicum annuum where it gets colder, is dry, and intensely hot in summer.
view the full question and answer
Dodge City, KS
Disappointing Fall color from sumac in Dodge City, KS
We have had a fragrant sumac bush growing in our front yard (faces south) for several years. While it is healthy and growing well, we are always disappointed in its lack of bright fall foliage. It d...
view the full question and answer