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
Arlington, TX
Blueberries in Arlington TX
Which wild or native blueberries can I grow in Arlington
Texas? I think it is zone 8?
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Arlington, TX
Controlling Cochineal Insects on Cholla Cactus
We have cochineal insects on a cholla cactus. Will they kill the plant? What should we do to get rid of them if water spraying them won't work?
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Arlington, TX
native plants for landscaping in Honolulu
Hi, wildflower.org has been a great help for me in learning about different plants, their Latin names and characteristics. I was looking for a list of plants (trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials...
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Arlington, TX
Companion planting with heartleaf skullcap from Arlington TX
What can I plant with heart-leaf skullcap when it goes dormant in the summer?
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Arlington, TX
How much shade will Thunder Turf (Habiturf) take?
How much shade will Thunder Turf take?
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Arlington, TX
What does spp. stand for in Paspalum spp? From Arlington, TX.
What does the spp stand for when talking about Paspalum spp?
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Arlington, TX
Plant identification
In North Central Texas recommended plants, there are three coneflowers listed:
Echinacea angustifolia-Black sampson
E. purpurea-Purple coneflower
E. purpurea-Eastern purple coneflower
Is the Eas...
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Arlington, TX
Is there a recommended list for Texas Eastern Cross Timbers?
Is there a recommended list for Texas Eastern Cross Timbers?
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Arlington, TX
Sticky white substance from Arizona Ash tree in Arlington TX
Our Arizona Ash Tree is producing a white substance that floats down from the tree almost like a snowflake the size of a bb. You cannot see it on the tree/leaves. When it lands on the car, it takes th...
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Arlington, TX
Problems with red oak trees in North Central Texas
What is the disease effecting Red Oak trees in North Central Texas; causing them to lose leafs in Spring/Summer and turning the remaining leaves light yellow/lime green in color.
Thank you.
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Arlington, TX
Pollinator to Arkansas yucca from Arlington TX
Thank you Barbara for your answer. However, my Arkansas yuccas bloom every year, but do not set seed. I am asking for the name of the moth that pollinates them, or other native plants that serve as ...
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Arlington, TX
Eastern redcedar uprooted by snow in Arlington, TX
During the recent snowstorm one of our juniperus virginiana
fell over with the rootball looking intact and with a lot of soil all around it.Should we try to save it? It is approximately 20 feet tall ...
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Arlington, TX
Large shrub for screen in shade
I am trying to find some large shrubs that will thrive in shade in the north Texas climate. This area will receive very little light during the day but need to grow quite large to hide a fence and cr...
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Arlington, TX
Pollinating moth of Arkansas Yucca from Arlington TX
What is the pollinating moth of the Arkansas yucca. I have Desert willows which is the larval host for white-winged moth, but the yuccas are still not seeding. What other larval hosts plants can I p...
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Arlington, TX
Shrubs for erosion protection in Arlington TX
We live on Johnson Creek in Arlington, Tx. We have recently had to move our fenceline in because the erosion on the creek has collapsed a portion of our retaining wall. I would like to plant somethi...
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Arlington, TX
Need Fast-Growing Screening Shrub for Arlington, TX
What fast growing shrub/tree could be planted along side a fence to provide additional privacy? We have a pool in our backyard and the view behind our house is less than enjoyable. We would like to ...
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Arlington, TX
More on bluebonnets
When can I harvest my Bluebonnets?
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Arlington, TX
Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
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Arlington, TX
Sales of horseherb seeds in Arlington, TX area
Where can I purchase horseherb seeds in Arlington tx.or Dallas Ft.Worth area
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arlington, TX
Las Vegas lawn grass for Dallas
Dear Smarty Plants,
Every time we go to Las Vegas I admire the beautiful grass in the lawns of most of the strip casinos. It looks like a fescue but it is just as beautiful on the hottest summer day...
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Arlington, TX
Plant identification
There's a wildflower I can't identify. I have a picture of it and have searched many sites and can't seem to find it. Is there a way I can submit the pic to you to identify?
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