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
Highlands, TX
Remake of church grotto in Highlands, TX
I'm looking to reform our Church Grado. I would like some beautiful (fitting) flowers that are native to Texas. Low upkeep preferred. Possible some nice water flowers to put into waterways. Plan to a...
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Highlands, TX
Esperanza freezing back in Highlands, TX
I have an 3 yr. old Esperanza that froze the last two yrs.
but grew back each spring. This spring after getting about 2 ft. the leaves at the bottom began turning brown at the edges and now seems to...
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Crosby, TX
Identity of grass-like plant with white or cream flowers in The Woodlands, TX?
What is the name of the tall grass-like plant with small white or cream flowers that is planted in most esplanades in The Woodlands, TX.?
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Baytown, TX
Evergreen fast-growing native shrubs for privacy shield in Baytown, TX
A gas well is going in across the road. We need a fast growing native tall shrub to line our property next to the road. It needs to maintain its leaves in the winter also. We hope to cut down on th...
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Baytown, TX
Vine in New Braunfels for Baytown, TX
I have seen a vine in New Braunfels that looks nothing like the trumpet vine or trumpet creeper; however, the flower is almost identical. The flower is more pink though, and the leaves look more like...
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Baytown, TX
Planting dogwood in Baytown TX
I live in Baytown Texas and was wondering if this would be a good area to plant a dogwood tree?
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Baytown, TX
hummingbird attractants
I live in Baytown, Texas and am looking for a variety of plants that attract Hummingbirds, but are also pet friendly. I have two dogs, so this is a major concern. I am putting the plants in my backyar...
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Deer Park, TX
Looking for name of fragrant, night-blooming plant with flower resembling gardenia
The plant that I am looking for is a night bloomer, strong scented and has leaves and flowers similar to gardenia. I have seen a picture of the plant but not the actually plant. Can you give me an id...
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Deer Park, TX
Control of grapevines in trees
Grapevines have overtaken some of the trees on our property in Central Texas. What is the best way to get rid of the grapevines and (hopefully) save the trees?
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Deer Park, TX
Ground Arizona ash wood suitable for mulch?
We cut down a 40 year old Arizona ash tree and had the stump ground into mulch. Can we use this mulch in our vegetable garden and flower beds
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Pasadena, TX
Problems with non-native Cleyera and Red-tip photinia
I planted a row of Cleyera in a bed that receives sunlight for about 3 hours during the middle of the day. My problem is that a number of the plants are dying. It begins with the leaves on one small...
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Pasadena, TX
Laurel oak tree not leafing out in Pasadena TX
Hurricane Ike blew down our red bud in the backyard. Had a large 25' laurel oak planted early March 2010. When it was put in the ground, the leaves were on it, but they were all brown and dried. T...
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Shoreacres, TX
Plant Identification
I have a vine in my flowerbed that has three leaves and thorns and it looks like poison ivy. How can I tell if it is?
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Seabrook, TX
Native lawn grass for Seabrook TX
We want to seed our lawn in Seabrook, Tx.77586 with a Natural Grass replacing our St. Augustine Grass. I think there is one that is drought resistant (only water it twice a month.) and that does not g...
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Seabrook, TX
Screen for utility box in Seabrook TX
Utility box cover: Thinking of using star jasmine on a three sided fence/trellis. Each side 3 ft sq. I can send a picture. Not sure best fence style to use or way to plant. Suggestions? Need cove...
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Seabrook, TX
Site restoration in Seabrook, TX
I have 2+ acres in the Seabrook/Kemah area of Texas and am planning the lawn/landscape. The property is zoned as light commercial and will have one 60X120 metal building. The rest of it is my outdoo...
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Seabrook, TX
Aggressive Frogfruit
I have frogfruit voluntarily growing in my flower beds. I had intended to use it as a ground cover but am concerned that it is taking over. Will it kill (smother) my flowers that I have planted for bu...
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Humble, TX
Perennials for flower bed in Humble TX
I have a 10 foot by 10 foot flower bed that needs to be replanted and I am located in Houston, TX so what would be some good perennials to plant that are good to grow in this heat? I have been told L...
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Humble, TX
Need advice for growing Texas Mountain Laurel from seed in Humble, TX
We live in Humble, Texas 77396 and would like to grow some Texas Mountain Laurel trees from seed. I recently read that they may not grow well in this area because they prefer the Texas Hill country a...
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Humble, TX
Wild native trees with orange blooms
What is the wild native tree that is blooming orange blooms - as you drive down the road thru Chappel Hill, and Brenham area. I've never seen these before when we went viewing bluebonnets - however,...
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Humble, TX
Native grass mix suitable for Houston
Do you have a native grass mix that is appropriate to the Houston area- or will the one you have developed to this point work as well here as it does in Central Texas? If not, when will you begin to ...
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