Native Plants
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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
Portland , TX
Planting non-native coastal bermudagrass in Portland TX
How do you plant coastal grass?
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Portland, TX
Source for Frostweed plants or seeds from Portland TX
I am looking for somewhere I can buy Frostweed plants or seeds. I live in Portland, TX, but frequent San Antonio and the Hill Country. Can you help me with this?
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Portland, TX
Are Texas wildflowers dying out from Portland, TX
I am doing a school project on whether or not wildflowers are dying out in the state of Texas or not. I need to find a specialist who specializes on this subject. Could you help me???
Please contac...
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Portland, TX
Getting rid of King Ranch bluestem
I have recently moved to South Texas Coastal town of Portland, Texas. My St. Augestine turf grass has been invaded by - what the neighbors tell me - King Ranch Blue Stem grass. I am having a terribl...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Non-native oleander failing to thrive in Corpus Christi
I live in South Texas (Corpus Christi). My husband planted Red Oleander in partial to full sun about 1 1/2 weeks ago. They are watered by our sprinkler system. They have recently started to bloom, ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Removing grassy weeds from cactus garden in Corpus Christi TX
How do you get grassy weeds out of a cactus garden? I don't want to use roundup around the cacti? Can you recommend a herbicide that won't harm the cactus?
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Corpus Christi, TX
Getting rid of Mexican Petunia in Chorpus Christi, TX
What is the best way to get rid of unwanted Mexican Petunia that keeps spreading to unwanted areas of my flower beds?
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Corpus Christi, TX
Evergreen plant to grow to 6 feet tall with flowers and non-toxic
I live in South Texas, and in town. I am looking for plant that grows taller than 6 feet and is non toxic to people and pets. Would also like for it to be pest and disease free or minimal. Need it ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Cenizo dropping leaves from Corpus Christi TX
Leucophyllum frutescens:I planted a Texas sage hedge in September of 2012. One of the plants is dropping its leaves. It is situated at the corner of an L-shape at the end of drive and corner of road. ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Another plant with ice plant as the common name from Corpus Christi
This is not a question, but your "ice plant" answer to El Cajon did not consider Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, which I believe is the common roadside succulent that ate California. God have mercy ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Dead or Dormant Chile Pequins in Corpus Christi
We have 4 chile pequin and 5 chiltepin plants growing our yard. All were thriving beautifully until we took a 12-day vacation in late July. There was little rain during that time but overall this y...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Purchase sources of Buffalograss from Corpus Christi TX
I've heard a lot of good things about Buffalograss, but no one in my area seems to carry it. One grower actually told me it didn't grow well here and recommended St. Augustine Floratam instead. Is ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Esperanza with rust spots in Corpus Christi, TX
I have a young esperanza plant and the leaves have what looks like rust spots all over them. What is the cause of this and what can I do for it? My other larger and older esperanza does not have this....
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Corpus Christi, TX
Propagating Bauhinia lunarioides
For a Master Gardener Intern project I am attempting to propagate the native orchid tree/Anacacho, Bauhinia lunarioides via root, cuttings, and seed. I have scarified the seeds - how long should it ta...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Should an agave bloom stalk be cut as soon as it flowers from Corpus Christi TX
My agave plant is flowering, with a stalk approaching 12 feet tall. Should that stalk be cut once it flowers? I am concerned about wind catching it and pulling the whole plant out of the ground. I ...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Calcium from Eggshells for Ferns?
I was reading recently about beneficial additions to the soil/plant. The first was about soaking used egg shells overnight and then pouring the water onto ferns. They said that the calcium in eggshell...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Small native trees/shrubs for Corpus Christi, TX
Which small native trees or tall shrubs would do well in full sun in Corpus Christi for privacy along a fence line? Blooms are a bonus and evergreen is preferred.Searches on the website aren't produc...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Supplies for green roof from Corpus Christi TX
Where do you buy your expanded clay or shale, your decomposed granite and your rice husks for a green roof?
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Corpus Christi, TX
Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas.
How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Introduction of King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemem)
Hello, I am a graduate student from TAMUK and I'm writing my thesis concerning natives vs. Old World Bluestems. I was wondering if you could help me find a source that states: King Ranch (or KR) Blu...
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Corpus Christi, TX
Are Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels native to the Texas/Mexico Border?
I'm trying to determine whether Rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel grow around the Texas/Mexican border. Are they native to this region?
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