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
Hays County, TX
Control of Roosevelt weed in Hays County, TX
Roosevelt weed is rapidly taking over the ranchette which we have purchased in Hays County. Any suggestions for reducing or eliminating its presence will be appreciated. Thanks.
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Williamson County, TX
Identification of native dogwoods in Williamson Co., TX
Hi Mr/Mrs SmartyPlants
What are the small-ish wild trees that are blooming so beautifully now? They are practically covered in pretty white blossoms. I've always called them dogwoods but in the vari...
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Newton County, TX
Advisability of sowing wildflower seeds in mid-January in Lousiana
Newton County borders Louisiana in SE Texas. Can we plant wildflowers now-mid January? The park has recently been graded and many trees blown down by Rita which will make it more sunny. The Garden ...
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San Saba County, TX
Daily water absorption of live oak from soil
How much water does the live oak absorb from the soil per day?
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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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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
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
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
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
Sources for Eustoma exaltatum (Texas bluebells)
Could you list sources for seeds for eustoma (texas bluebells)?
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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