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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| Shrubs to grow in a narrow area no taller than 3 ft. in Cadiz, KY. May 27, 2011 I need to plant shrubs in a narrow area between my house and sidewalk. I have a low porch so I want the shrub to grow no taller than 3 ft. What do you recommend? It is in full sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing Nandina with natives for a schoolyard in Washington DC May 11, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Our schoolyard now has some invasive plants in the landscaping that we would like to replace with native plants. We have four clumps of Nandina planted at each pillar along a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for a screen in DC May 05, 2011 Live in Washington DC vicinity (zones: 7-8). Looking for hardy shrubs to screen a 47 foot long picket fence and provide barrier to neighbor. It is western exposure with sun light. Ideally evergreen, d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is it live oak sprouts or parasites from Austin April 30, 2011 You must get tired of questions about "Live Oak sprouts." I just read your recent Q&A about this. But I'm getting mixed info about whether the "sprouts" are actually Live Oak growth of some sort ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How do I save my recently transplanted yaupon holly? April 20, 2011 Recently transplanted (two weeks ago) a yaupon holly tree from one part of the yard to another. Leaves are beginning to turn yellow and fall. What can be done to save this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Chlorotic leaves on yaupon in Austin April 04, 2011 My yaupon holly looks chlorotic, it is 7 years old, I do not feed it, just a little seaweed occasionally. I am a totally organic gardener. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of growing a Lacey Oak in Katy, TX April 04, 2011 I live in Katy, TX - west of Houston and would like to place a Lacey Oak tree in my yard. We enjoyed this tree in our former home south of Dallas - and I understand it does better in alkaline soils; ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Re-landscaping neglected garden in Franklin CT April 03, 2011 I am starting from scratch in a yard that has no planting beds or, for that matter, plants at all. House was vacant for quite some time, grass was three feet tall when we moved in. I would like to p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for planting under hollies in DC April 01, 2011 I would like shrub suggestions for planting under holly trees. I live in Washington, DC and have 2 very well-established large holly trees (2 story tall trees) in the front of our house, facing north... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Yaupon Invasive in the Austin Area? March 24, 2011 Is Yaupon Holly invasive in the Austin area? Should we be removing it from our yards and/or greenbelt spaces? Thanks for your input! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Various holly hybrids or selections for Pflugerville TX March 24, 2011 I love Savannah Hollies. I used them all the time in the Dallas area. Now that I have moved to Austin, I am wondering if I can plant them in this area. I have a soil pH of 7 and drainage is moderate. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Damage to Pencil Holly in Michigan March 15, 2011 I have 5 sky pencil holly bushes that are about 3 feet tall each..they don't grow very fast. I was looking forward to them reaching the 7 feet mark one day, as they are going to serve as a screen be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge plantings for Flower Mound, TX March 14, 2011 Need to cover ~ 1000 linear feet with a thick hedge plant that will be ~ 8-15 ft tall, 8-12ft wide, fast growing, evergreen, drought resistant. Live in Flower Mound Tx. Researching on Red tip Photinia... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening trees for PA March 13, 2011 We are looking to plant some privacy trees in back of our home. Since our neighbor is directly behind us but we don't want to plant something distasteful to our neighbor. Do you have a recommendation... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rooting hybrid Savannah Holly from cuttings from Gainesville FL March 04, 2011 I need instructions on rooting the Savannah Holly from cuttings. I understand that seedlings will not be true to the parent..is this true? Please help. What type of soil mix should I use? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of native plants by seed in Round Rock TX February 26, 2011 I'm trying to include more native and adapted low water use plants in the landscaping of my yard in Round Rock Texas. Due to a limited budget I've been collecting seeds from plants around the area ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Adventitious sprouts from Live Oak in Dallas February 26, 2011 How do I kill Holly growing in my yard? I have a Live Oak tree growing in my Bermuda grass lawn. The holly grows under the tree from the trunk extending out about 12-15 ft. It grows right in with the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need evergreen, drought tolerant shrubs to plant next to driveway along property line in Austin, TX. February 23, 2011 Just moved to Austin, TX. What evergreen, drought tolerant shrubs could I plant by driveway, full sun, next to neighbors lawn. I don't want to mow, space is 3.5 ft. wide by 15ft. long. I thought ab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screen for utility box in Seabrook TX February 21, 2011 Utility box cover: Thinking of using star jasmine on a three sided fence/trellis. Each side 3 ft sq. I can send a picture. Not sure best fence style to use or way to plant. Suggestions? Need cove... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for plants for a privacy hedge, besides Ficus nitida, in Norco CA. February 02, 2011 I am looking to plant a hedge for privacy along my property line. We have horses so I need to make sure that what I plant is not toxic. Would Ficus nitida 'Little Gem' be a good choice? I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| French Provincial Garden using Natives January 31, 2011 I am designing a French provincial garden near Waco Lake, I am looking for some native shrubs and ornamental grasses to augment the myriad of lavender, roses, and lilies in the proposed design. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant plants for Williams, OR January 24, 2011 I live in Williams, Oregon. I would like a listing of deer resistant, drought tolerant,evergreen, fast growing, native plants that can be used as a privacy screen on property perimeter. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Origin of name of hybrid Ilex x attenuata December 11, 2010 Could you please tell me where Eagleson, or also called Eagleston Holly got its name ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen Hedge for Austin November 28, 2010 Hello, We live in Austin and have a yard that is almost fully shaded. We have a few burford holly bushes there, but would like to add some evergreen interest. We would love a tall hedge (around 8 ft... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Further question on sprouts from holly tree in Surprise AZ November 16, 2010 Thank you Barbara Medford for your response to my question about the sprouting holly tree in Surprise AZ. I took for granted that the tree I was talking about was a holly tree. I looked at pictures of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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