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.
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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
Lubbock, TX
Plantings for beneath a red oak in Lubbock TX
What would you recommend to plant in a two tiered raised bed facing west, totally blocked from the east, thus receiving only the afternoon sun? A 21 year old red oak sits in the middle of the upper ra...
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Lubbock, TX
Plants for pergola in Lubbock TX
I need suggestions of plants, vines, bushes to plant in my backyard near my wooden pergola that will work well in full sun in Lubbock, TX. Ideally, I'd like some that attract hummingbirds and provide...
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Lubbock, TX
Will Hesperaloe parviflora Yellow propagate true from seed?
Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have searched all over the internet and have not been able to find an answer to my question. Will Hesperaloe parviflora 'Yellow' propagate true from seed or is division requ...
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Lubbock, TX
Sources for Eustoma exaltatum (Texas bluebells)
Could you list sources for seeds for eustoma (texas bluebells)?
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Lubbock, TX
Germinating Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora and Machaeranthera tanacetifolia Seed
I am a graduate student at Texas Tech (UT Austin alumni), studying horticulture. I will be researching several wildflowers found in west Texas including Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora, and Macha...
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Lubbock, TX
Advisability of landscape cloth in native gardens
Is the use of landscape cloth healthy or unhealthy in native gardens?
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Lubbock, TX
Plant identification
I had a coworker bring back a branch of tree from San Antonio and the end of the branch fans out into a drapery type structure about a foot long with bud looking things all over it, almost fungally lo...
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Lubbock, TX
Screening Shrub for Lubbock TX
I am a landscape architecture student at Texas Tech University and am looking for a drought tolerant shrub to be used for screening a water well area. The location is the northwest corner of a yard wi...
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Lubbock, TX
Desert Willow Roots from Lubbock, TX
I have a very, very happy Desert Willow that has grown larger than we expected and is probably too close to the house. Do I need to worry about a cracked foundation or pipe problems? Thanks!
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Lubbock, TX
Long term effects of pesticide from Lubbock TX
I have 9 western pecan trees about 20 years old. Trunk sizes is from 18" to 39". I used a product Bayer Tree and Shrub, applied to the trees. I wonder what it will do to the trees. I talkd to Bayer ...
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Lubbock, TX
How many leaflets does a Texas Bluebonnet have?
How many leaves does a Texas Bluebonnet have? I have a co-worker who is making disparaging remarks about my bluebonnet plaque.
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Lubbock, TX
Does non-native mimosa tree have a tap root from Lubbock TX?
Does a mimosa tree have a tap root? I would like to plant one next to a concrete driveway to help shade the garage and do not want to cause damage to the driveway in the future. Thank you in advance...
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Lubbock, TX
Purple ash trees for Lubbock TX
Do purple ash trees grow well in Lubbock Texas? I want a faster growing tree. Heard all the oaks are slower. Any opinions would be appreciated.
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Lubbock, TX
Propagation of Liatris elegans in Lubbock TX
I am going to harvest several Liatris Elegans.I want to grow as many as possible out of what I harvest. What will be the best method? I have plenty of land at my home for growing these plants.I will ...
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Lubbock, TX
Container Plants for Lubbock, Texas
Hello! I am looking for plants suitable for container gardening for a west facing porch in Lubbock. Plants need to be super tough to endure the baking sun, constant wind, dry air, extreme temperatures...
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Lubbock, TX
Native Desert Willow and bunchgrass for Lubbock TX
We live in Lubbock and have decided to try to make our front yard as native as possible. It has been a very difficult process finding native species locally (even the local Aggie nursery sells a lot ...
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Lubbock, TX
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
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Lubbock, TX
Pruning of Desert Hibiscus Coulteri from Lubbock, TX
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
We have in our garden this year 2 volunteer Desert Hibiscus Coulteri----quite lanky! I notice on your website under "comments" someone notes they should be cut back "nearly...
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Lubbock , TX
Groundcover for rock garden under large oak
I am planning a small rock garden under a large oak tree. I would like a spreading evergreen ground cover that will grow in the shade. Drought-tolerant would be preferred as I live in the high plains...
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Lubbock , TX
Student wants pointers to increase germination rate of Salvia farinacea in Lubbock, Texas
I am a student at Texas Tech, studying environmental horticulture. I have been doing research on Salvia farinacea as well as a number of other natives. I've just been assigned a project to increase t...
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Collin County, TX
Native plants for rain garden in Collin Co., TX
I am developing a Collin County Master Gardener’s program on Rain Gardens (in particular) and Rain Harvesting (generally.) I saw the recent article in your magazine about rain gardens and wondered if ...
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