Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members 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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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Sequence of Seeding Wildflowers and Grasses in Texas July 24, 2016 In the How To article on meadow gardening, it recommends that a good chunk of your garden (50%-80%) should be native grasses. The kind mentioned in that article are typically warm season grasses. In... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Seeding Bluebonnets in Missouri July 07, 2016 I live in St. Louis, MO and obtained a packet of Bluebonnet seeds as well as a seedling. I read up on inoculating and scarifying the seeds, but I'm unsure as to the soil I should use. I was planning ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Caring for a wildflower meadow in Austin, TX. March 22, 2016 We have a meadow full of wildflowers in the country, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, etc. What can we do to promote continued growth and is there a certain time of year we should mow? Should we fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When to plant bluebonnets in Spicewood, TX March 19, 2016 When is the best time to plant Bluebonnets and do you place seeds under the soil or just spread on top? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Bluebonnet seeds still viable after storage for a year? March 02, 2016 I bought a pouch of Bluebonnets a year ago and now found them and have to wait to Fall to plant. Too old? Start over in purchase? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is it illegal to collect wildflower plants from county roads in TX? February 05, 2016 Is it illegal to collect wildflower plants like bluebonnets from county roads in Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When will the bluebonnets appear this year? February 04, 2016 When will the bluebonnets appear this year? We have many friends and family who want to visit when they are in bloom. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets for Upstate New York December 03, 2015 Will Texas Bluebonnet seeds germinate and flourish in Upstate NY? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Improving Bluebonnet seed contact with soil November 06, 2015 I have a five acre field in Blanco County, much of which is covered by bluebonnets. There are several species of native grasses as well. Would it be beneficial to disk or otherwise disturb the soil ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflowers of April wedding in Liberty Hill TX September 02, 2015 We are planning a wedding for April 9 in Liberty Hill, TX (78642) and live on several acres. We would like to plant wildflowers on the land to use for bouquets and centerpieces. Could you please recom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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