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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Sprouts at base of holly in Surprise AZ November 15, 2010 Friends have recently planted a holly tree in their front yard. They live in AZ and there is no grass (only rock) around their tree. It was planted as a fairly large tree (about 18 feet).My question i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen tree for planter in Sherman Oaks CA November 11, 2010 We have a large cinder block planter, 6ftx6ftx6ft,in the back of our building and would love to find a good evergreen accent tree (but not pine like). Planter is near a building so preferable it shoul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping north facing wall November 08, 2010 We live in the Dallas area and have a north facing home with a large, bare wall. I would like to plant a tall, flowering shrub that will look nice all year round. Or are there flowering vines that a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Year-round privacy screen of evergreen plants. November 02, 2010 We need a year-round privacy screen of evergreen plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need pruning advice in northern Michigan October 27, 2010 Is it OK to prune my evergreen bushes and holly in October in northern Michigan? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedge options for Sag Harbor, New York. October 11, 2010 Hello, My fiance and I live in Sag Harbor, NY on the East End of Long Island. We would like to plant a hedge across our yard to separate the front and back and have privacy. Here is a picture o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving a volunteer holly from Springfield IL October 11, 2010 When would be the very best time to move a volunteer holly? I would say it is 3 years old, it stands about 5 feet tall, shaped like a very nice tree and it keeps its leaves. Thank you. Karen View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen tree for California screen September 28, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I need a tree for screen and privacy. Our neighbors are building a second story. We will loose our privacy and our patio will be like a fish bowl. I will plant it about 2 fee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Horse-friendly plants for Powell OH September 24, 2010 I am looking for horse friendly plants, i.e., shrubs, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted in wet area in Ohio. Thank you in advance for your assistance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native shrubs for containers in Los Angeles, CA September 23, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants - We are looking for some non-vine potted plants to grow on our balcony for privacy in Los Angeles. The balcony receives partial direct sunlight & we would like the growth to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping around a pear tree in Tyler, TX. September 22, 2010 We have a large raised flower bed, approximately ten feet by ten feet, surrounding a mature flowering pear tree. Do you have any suggestions for landscaping with native plants in this bed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree or shrub for acoustical protection in Clermont FL September 20, 2010 What type of tree or shrub would be best to lower the db level of freeway noise in Central Florida? I live about 3/4 of a mile from a freeway but due to the wind and hills it causes the noise to bounc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native tree for San Diego, California September 19, 2010 I have conflicting info about the Mayten tree. Pro: recommended patio tree, medium water needs, does not drop seed or leaves. Con: broadly invasive suckers, messy drop. I am in San Diego, Californ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need Small Native Shrub in Dallas, TX September 17, 2010 We live in Dallas and are looking for a dwarf bush that we can plant in the space between the sidewalk and the street in front of our house. It would receive full sun to partial shade. We would like... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree for memorial in Levittown NY August 09, 2010 I am planning a tree planting memorial in Wantagh Park and I don't know what will be hardy enough to grow there. There are the constant breeze and salt water elements to deal with there and of course... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Want to take cuttings from Yaupon in Tomball, TX. August 06, 2010 From Tomball, Texas - we have a very shaded back yard and would like some lower growing shrubbery as a screen for the neighbors. Wild yaupon holly is growing well on the fringes and I would like to f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub/small tree for screen in southern California August 06, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants - I would like to find an evergreen hedge, ~15-20' (or so) to screen a busy road (noise and visual). I'm zone 8b - 92539 (close to) - light snow in winter (to -25) and can ge... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry) be toxic to chickens? July 25, 2010 We are considering planting Carolina Cherry Laurels around our yard for dense hedging purposes. We are concerned because we have a small flock of free-ranging chickens who eat every seed and leaf in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen tree for screen behind a waterfall July 25, 2010 I want to plant 3 evergreen trees as a screen behind a waterfall and along a fence by my pool. We took down a wax myrtle due to winter/ice damage and the mess in the pool. I want male yaupon hollies... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How can I control underground runners from from Pride of Houston Yaupons in Austin, TX? July 16, 2010 How can I control the underground runners from the Pride of Houston Yaupons? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter-interest plants in Wynnewood PA July 11, 2010 Could you please suggest flowering plants that provide winter interest after drying out (ie with seed pods or interesting dried flower heads)? I'm looking for something that grows in full sun. Thank ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen tree for Southern California coast July 06, 2010 I need a tree that is evergreen, non invasive roots that is not messy that can be kept at around 20 feet. We are at the edge of the thermal layer from the ocean. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting native yaupon into yard in Lowake TX June 08, 2010 I have lots of wild yaupon in my pasture,can I transplant it to the yard? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants that will grow on the Connecticut coast June 08, 2010 I live on the coast in Connecticut and have a hard time growing plants here. I live about 1/2 mile from the beach and find that my soil is very rocky. The only plants that have done well in my yard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Schedule for pollen and nectar for bees in Austin May 27, 2010 For beekeeping in western Travis County (Cuernavaca at Bee Caves) I need to know what nectar and pollen is flowing when. I have asked my local beekeeping club, but they are in Blackland Prairie and d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |