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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Beeville, TX
Non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem and Coastal bermuda for horses
Is blue stem grass mixed with coastal good for horses?
view the full question and answer
Beeville, TX
Native Grasses as a Hay Crop in Beeville, TX
I am looking to cut Hay on about 38 acres just west of Beeville, Texas. I want to convert the land to native grasses, but I still want to have a decent hay crop that I can sell. What is a good set of ...
view the full question and answer
Beeville, TX
Plant identification for Beeville, TX
Today in Beeville, TX I came across a plant that looks like a grass, but has a small black and white dotted flower. The flower looks like an orchid. Could you identify this or give me direction as t...
view the full question and answer
Sinton, TX
Wasps on live oaks from Sinton TX
Wasps on my live oak trees. What is attracting them? Does this hurt the tree?
view the full question and answer
Sinton, TX
Leaves of non-native crape myrtle browning in Sinton TX
Crepe myrtle – tips of leaves are brown and curling up.
view the full question and answer
Odem, TX
Native plants that are dog-proof in South Texas
I live in Odem, Texas and would like to use only native plants in my front and backyard. I have two puppies who love to dig. What plants should I use that require minimal attention from me and will no...
view the full question and answer
Bayside, TX
Can wildflower seeds be stored in plastic from Bayside TX
I have been harvesting seeds from all of the varieties of wildflowers I'd planted in a raised flower bed. I had vacuum sealed them with my Seal-A Meal but a few days ago I was told that this was not ...
view the full question and answer
Bayside, TX
Growing Alopia drummondii from Seed
Can you give me information about, or a resource for, growing Alophia drummondii (propeller plant) from seed? I have the seed but don't know when & the best method for planting?
view the full question and answer
Bayside, TX
How do I plant seeds harvested from my flower bed?
In early Spring of 2011 I planted a new raised bed 75'x4' in size, with wildflower seeds obtained from a commercial nursery in Corpus Christi. I was taken back by their cost relative to the volume o...
view the full question and answer
Yorktown, TX
Sending a picture of an oak from Yorktown TX
How I can I send a pic of my oak in Yorktown near Cuero?
view the full question and answer
Robstown, TX
Use of hand-held seed spreader from Robstown TX
I am planting native turf grass and prairie grasses as part of a backyard restoration on my 1.6 acre home site. My problem is good seed dispersal for the chaffey grass seeds. Have you have any luck...
view the full question and answer
Robstown, TX
User comment on native grass mixes from Robstown TX
As a followup to my question on seed spreaders, native grass and prairie seed mixes seem a good fit for my location in far western Nueces County which is more semi-arrid than 30 miles away in Corpus w...
view the full question and answer
Campbellton, TX
Problems with tomatoes in tubs in Campbellton, TX
I have my tomatoes planted in big black plastic tubs, they are starting to wilt and dry up. I have put Sevin dust on them for bugs. I haven't been over watering. Could you please tell me why they are...
view the full question and answer
Portland , TX
Planting non-native coastal bermudagrass in Portland TX
How do you plant coastal grass?
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
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?
view the full question and answer
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. ...
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
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?
view the full question and answer