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
Montgomery, TX
How close to plant Prunus carolinia for a privacy buffer in Montgomery, TX.
I recently purchased some Prunus caroliniana trees for a privacy buffer between my neighbor and me. I have not yet planted them. They are in 25 gallon buckets and are about 10 feet tall now. How mu...
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Montgomery, TX
Flowering landscape plants for Montgomery TX
Hello I live in Montgomery TX. I am looking for low growing evergreen flowering plants for the front of my three deep beds. The first plant closest to the foundation is loropetalum, then I have a blue...
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Montgomery, TX
Ways of eliminating smilax bona-nox
How can I get rid of "smilax bona" or green briar vines besides digging them up one by one? I have been told by Harris County Ext. Office to just mow them.. Ha Ha Good luck with that. Is there a...
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Montgomery, TX
Are oleanders poisonous?
Are Oleanders poisonous?
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Montgomery, TX
Ground cover to control erosion in Montgomery County, Texas
I am looking for some kind of ground cover to control erosion on a north facing slope in Montgomery County, Texas. The area gets very little direct sunlight. I need something that will establish quick...
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Montgomery, TX
Identity of poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas
What is the name of a poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas?
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Plantersville, TX
I have an Ehretia anacua in the way of possible development of a new building and I have a few questions.\r\nWhat is the typical life span of that tree and are the roots sensitive to compaction and ...
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Plantersville, TX
Definition of "Weed Laws"
What are weed laws?
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Magnolia, TX
Pruning Ageratina havenensis from Magnolia TX
I planted a Eupatorium havanense last year here in the last sandy finger of the piney woods; it gets full sun in a well-drained raised bed, where it flowered well. I pruned it fairly close, and it cam...
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Magnolia, TX
Finding Buffalograss Sod in the Houston Area
Do you have a source for Buffalo Grass plugs or sod in the Magnolia/ Houston area?
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Magnolia, TX
Limp leaves on Texas purple sage in Magnolia TX
Recently planted Texas purple sage, some of it looks healthy and has new blooms, but a few of the plants have limp leaves and are thin at the bottom. I read the article on cotton root rot, but am not ...
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Magnolia, TX
Identification of plant with crimson tubular flowers
I saw this lovely flower in a field in Cleveland Tx. It was growing in a patch with maybe 4 or 5 other of the same yet only in that area. The flower is crimson red, long and tubular that grow on a woo...
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Magnolia, TX
Is Texas Mountain Laurel what I planted in Magnolia TX?
I think I planted Texas Mt. Laurels and need to see a pic of early plants. Can you help?
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Magnolia, TX
Problem with Pterocaulon pycnostachyum
I have a solitary Pterocaulon pycnostachyum in my wildscape; it invited itself. Some years it does not flower at all (or the bloom is eaten before I see it), and its stalks (usually 4) are not ...
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Magnolia, TX
Spacing for wax myrtles as screen in Texas
I have bought 30 wax myrtles, 15 gallon sized, and would like to plant them along my fence line, as a screen. How far apart is the recommended distance when planting plants of this size?
Thank you!
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Magnolia, TX
Woluld like a list of plants, shrubs, and ground cover native to Magnolia, TX.
I would like a list of plants, shrubs, and ground cover that is native to Magnolia, TX that is deer resistant but also non toxic to dogs.
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Magnolia, TX
Need a fast growing shrub to quickly create a 6' privacy screen in Magnolia, TX.
Can you please recommend a fast-growing shrub to quickly create a 6' plus-tall privacy screen in an area with mottled shade along a north/south oriented wrought-iron fence? This is under a canopy of...
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Magnolia, TX
Century plant leaves yellowing from Magnolia TX
The leaves on my large Agave/Century plant are turning yellow. The bottom leaves, touching the ground are dying. Plant is 5.5" tall, 6" across & approx 10 yrs old. Recently we put red mulch around t...
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Magnolia, TX
Shade plants for a childrens garden in Magnolia, TX
What shade plants would be good to plant in a Children's garden at a learning center?
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Willis, TX
Groundcover for area under oaks in Lake Conroe, Texas
I live just off Lake Conroe, and my backyard is more dirt than grass. It is under a number of oak trees, and the dirt is more of a silt than a sand. I need suggestions for a quick growing ground cover...
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Willis, TX
Need help with century plant in Willis, TX
Ok so I have two gorgeously monstrous century plants in my yard..I love em BUT I don't know if the have ever bloomed but since I am removing pups as fast as I can during the rainy season I'm assumin...
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