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
Mission, TX
Growth rate of non-native Asclepias curassavica
As a volunteer at the National Butterfly center, I wonder how long from starting the seeds until the plant reaches approximately 20 cm tall does it take a tropical milkweed (asclepias curassavica) to ...
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Mission, TX
Need some help with a Plumbago plant in Mission, TX.
Hello..I live in south South Texas and have a plumbago. It gets about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun and lately some of the branches and leaves turn bright green almost yellow. Am I over watering or is ...
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Mission, TX
What species of Aristolochia occur in Hidalgo County, TX?
What species of Aristolochia or are in the Aristolochiaceae family occur in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, particularly Hidalgo Co., TX. Both Pipevine and Polydamas Swallowtail butterflies occur down h...
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Mission, TX
Failure to thrive of non-native Purple Orchid Tree
We planted purple orchid tree Texas,zone 9 two weeks ago and all leaves turned brown.My husband used root stimulator with enough water as the instructions said.We took all brown leaves off and now it...
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Mission, TX
Sandbur invasion in Mission TX
I have a spiny sandbur invasion in my yard. Even the dog tiptoes around to do her business. Because I live in Mission, TX, this weed acts like a perennial and is constantly growing (no winter freezes...
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McAllen, TX
How many seeds in a Balsam Gourd fruit?
How many seeds should I expect to find inside the fruit of Ibervillea Londoners?
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McAllen, TX
Plants ants avoid from McAllen TX
Which native plants do ANTS avoid (are there?)? We have a big ant problem here. Thanks!
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McAllen, TX
Optimum pruning time for butterfly garden
I am planting a butterfly garden that I would like to be pretty as well as beneficial for butterflies. If I am going to have both host plants and nectar plants in the garden and the butterflies will b...
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McAllen, TX
List of native plants found in South Texas counties
Does the LBJ Wildflower Ctr. have a place on its site where lists of native plants found in each Texas county can be accessed? I am working on a comparative database of commonly used sources (e.g., La...
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McAllen, TX
Pruning Lyreleaf Sage from McAllen TX
I planted a few Lyre Leaf Sage last year and they bloomed beautifully. I let them seed out and had a number of new plants show up this year. I have never cut the flower/seed stalks back and now that ...
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McAllen, TX
Watering live oak trees from McAllen TX
What are the watering requirements for live oak trees in deep south Texas? How often and how many inches to be applied? One pop-up spray sprinkler spaced approximately fifteen feet away from each tr...
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McAllen, TX
Saving non-native crape myrtles watered with salt water in McAllen TX
I have a crape myrtle plants that were accidentally watered with salt water from a purifier that was drained. They are dying and turning brown. What can I do to revive them?
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McAllen, TX
Latin name for botany mist in McAllen TX
What is the latin name or formal name of botany mist which is a Queen butterfly nectar source in the Rio Grande Valley?
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McAllen, TX
Different colors of Argemone spp. from McAllen TX
I took pictures of at least 5 colors of pricklepoppy today. Is this common to have so many colors in one area? How do I harvest the seedpods and when is the best time to do so?
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McAllen, TX
Wildflowers for an April wedding in McAllen TX
I live in McAllen Texas and plan to get married April 2011. My dream is to get married at my parents ranch. I visualize beautiful wildflowers and I am not sure what to plant and when. Any suggestion...
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McAllen, TX
Care of the non-native Aralias (Genus Polyscias)
Today I purchased a POLYSCIAS common name "Aralia"
I was told that can be happy inside, little light. Please could you inform me how to take care: feeding, fertilizing, watering needs? Does it bl...
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Edinburg , TX
April Wildflowers for South Texas
Can you tell me what wildflowers grow well in south Texas? I would like to plant in the fall for bloom in April. Is this possible?
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Edinburg, TX
Medicinal plants used on Hispanic ranches
Have you ever heard of a plant, possibly native to Texas or Mexico, called Drago? Or another called Greta? In a book on South Texas ranches after 1850, these are listed as the Spanish names for two ...
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Edinburg, TX
Plants for a bioswale in TX
Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, What kind of plants are best suited for a bioswale in Edinburg, Texas?
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Edinburg, TX
Need tips for planting wildflower seeds in pots in Edinburg, TX.
Can you give me some tips for starting wildflower seeds in pots or trays, rather than outdoors? Is this even possible? Most instructions I have found are for seeding large areas. I want to get some p...
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Edinburg, TX
Can Texas Ebony seed pods be used as mulch in Edinburg TX
I just bought a house with two large Texas ebony trees out front. I read somewhere that the seed pods could be used as mulch? Is this true? If so, would I need to remove the seeds from the pods fir...
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