Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

Gatesville, TX
Identification of low plant with like waterlily pad
Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a low growing plant with leaves the shape of a waterlily pad, approx.1" growing all over my yard. I actually like them but would like to know the name of the plant. Thank y...
view the full question and answer

Gatesville, TX
Vines for fence in Gatesville, Texas
Dear Mr Smarty Plants, My wife and I are looking for a nice vine or Ivy for our chain link fence to add a little privacy. We have 4 dogs that bark at anything that moves. We live in Gatesville Tex...
view the full question and answer

Gatesville, TX
Looking for Irises for Coryell County, TX.
I'm looking for a hearty plant for Coryell County, TX. My mother always referred to these plants as "flags." I assume it is a type of iris. I'm looking for the one that will survive in the Cent...
view the full question and answer

Gatesville, TX
Should I remove the flowering stalk from my Dasylirion leioiphyllum?
We transplanted a plant that is new to us but going through your photos on your website, it appears that we have a Dasylirion Leiophy. My question is this.. Are we supposed to cut the 6' stem that f...
view the full question and answer

Gatesville, TX
Is balsam gourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri) poisonous or edible?
Is the Balsam Gourd edible or poisonous?
view the full question and answer

Gatesville, TX
Young pecan trees with leaf and branch problems from Gatesville TX
I have a young pecan tree that had very rapidly browning Leaves. They became brittle and so did the branches with affected leaves. The branches soon fell off. We treated with fungicide during that pro...
view the full question and answer

Jonesboro, TX
Preparing to plant buffalograss in Jonesboro, TX
Our current lawn is full of broad-leaf weeds, KR bluestem, a little native grass, lots of wildflowers and in spots, lots of rocks . We are in the country in Hamilton Co., TX. We want to plant buffa...
view the full question and answer

McGregor, TX
Esperanza turning brown in McGregor TX
Why are my Esperanza turning brown?
view the full question and answer

Valley Mills, TX
Flowers for Fall in Bosque County from Valley Mills TX
What Wildflowers could we plant in Bosque County area to bloom in the Fall?
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Native plants for containers
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have found the website very helpful, but have a few questions of my own. I recently purchased the winecup plant, phlox and cedar sage perennials. I have planted them in ...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
What causes peach fruit to ooze sap?
I have a peach tree at our new house. The peaches are small and yellow but appeared healthy. Now it looks like they are oozing or weeping sap out of several places on each one. I dont know if its a di...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Plants dying in circular garden in Killeen, TX.
I have a large circular garden in my backyard out in the country in Killeen Texas. Last year two elms died. This year the Rose of Sharon has been dying one by one. One bush will completely die off bef...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Problems with Mexican Monterrey Oak in Killeen, TX
I planted a Mexican/Monterrey White Oak in September of 2008. It was about 10 ft tall and about 1 1/4 inches in diameter at the bottom. I kept it watered over the winter and spring and of course, ve...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Container plants for pool area in Killeen TX
We live in Central Texas (Killeen). We want to put some container plants around our pool. (backyard with pool is all cement). We want some larger stuff, like maybe bamboo, elephant ears, etc. What pla...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Brown, dry leaves on weeping willow tree
We live in central TX and have just planted a weeping willow tree. Our back yard has a retention pond and ravine that parallels our property and we were told that the weeping willow will do perfectly ...
view the full question and answer

Killeen, TX
Fruit trees non-toxic to dogs that will grow in Killeen TX
I live in Central Texas and I'd like to know if there is any fruit tree that is non toxic to dogs that will grow well in my area. My dog eats everything in sight. Thanks!
view the full question and answer

Copperas Cove, TX
Problems with gnats in dirt
I have problems with gnats in my dirt. It's something I can't get control of. What can I do?
view the full question and answer

Moody, TX
Identification of strange dark green blobs
In my back yard I have a type of plant with no roots only around in the summer and when it rains. It looks like a person took a piece lettuce and put way too much water into it and wadded it up. It ...
view the full question and answer

Moody , TX
Differences between smooth bark and rough bark Arizona cypress
What is the difference between smooth bark Arizona Cypress and rough bark Arizona Cypress in terms of tree growth, form, foliage, etc.? Will one grow better than the other in the Waco area?
view the full question and answer

Moody, TX
Bald cypress with chlorosis in Texas
I have a 6' tall Bald Cypress planted 2 years ago which just this year appears to be suffering from chlorosis. The tree was bought from a chain store. It receives some drainage water from my washin...
view the full question and answer

Harker Heights (Bell County), TX
Need plants to cover a fence and retaining wall combination
Recently we replaced our fence and I need help with plants to mask an 18 foot section of fence/retaining wall. The fence guy set the fence back about 10 inches from the top of the retaining wall which...
view the full question and answer