Native Plants
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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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| Screen for highway noise in Conroe, Texas March 18, 2010 I have 120' of fence line which backs up to a busy highway, and now there are plans to widen it to four lanes. Is there a native tree or shrub which could help dampen the noise and block out the view... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live Christmas tree in Katy, TX March 16, 2010 My husband is really bent towards having a live "Christmas tree" in the front yard. I hate to use anything non-native so I am looking for a native Texas juniper shrub or a small tree that can be tri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| New York State Shrubs to Screen Home from Traffic March 11, 2010 I am looking for a native New York bush/small tree which I can use along a road to screen my home from year-round car traffic. The area is not terribly wide and the soil is OK. I am willing to prune a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen in Idaho February 15, 2010 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I need to add privacy to a chain link fence. The fence is shaded by large trees.They add shade from up high but little privacy at fence level.What would you recommend I plant... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen for wet area in Florida February 08, 2010 What are the best type of bushes/trees to plant in a low-lying area which is very wet--has sitting water after rainfall and drains slowly that is fast growing and serve as a good privacy border near f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native invasive Asian jasmine in Temple TX February 06, 2010 Hello, behind my backyard fence there is a large growth (about 300 to 400 sq feet) of Asian jasmine. It was planted by previous owners. It prevents growth of native plants like holly. What is the prac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Possumhaw Holly from berries in Marble Falls, TX January 31, 2010 Any suggestions for getting a Possumhaw Holly to grow from the red berries? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What eats American holly bushes in winter? January 24, 2010 I live in Marlborough, MA and I was shoveling snow on January 19th and noticed how beautiful my Holly bush was covered in red berries against the new fallen snow. My husband said to me this morning (... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscape buffer in Bluffton SC January 21, 2010 I have to install an irrigated landscape buffer along the outside of a 6'high x 42'long privacy fence about 8' from a public sidewalk in Bluffton, SC. The property owners association requires 4' t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning Holly after Deer Browse January 16, 2010 Deer have been eating my Holly Bushes. Can I prune now in January? I live in the North of New Jersey. Will they come back fuller? I just planted them in spring last year. How can I get them fuller View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Hollies in winter January 12, 2010 I want to transplant, relocate holly trees in January. Is that ok, and what is the best holly for landscaping? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Duplicate of English holly for Eufaula OK January 03, 2010 I wish to have a shrub that would duplicate the red berries and foliage of English holly. Tolerance of cultivation is also desired. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery plant in New Jersey December 29, 2009 We are trying to find the name of a shrub, growing in Southern New Jersey. with red berries that grow in a group much like lilac or oak leaf hydrangea. It is "feathery", not dense. A neighbor dug u... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Thorny plant for fenceline security December 23, 2009 What kind of thorny plant or vine would you suggest to place along a fence for security purposes View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen for pool in California November 24, 2009 Hi, We have new neighbors overlooking our pool and peering into our house. We want to put up a privacy screen along our back fence that runs the length of the pool, but the border running along the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fall shrub planting in Illinois November 22, 2009 I was given a Holly winterberry - Ilex Verticillata and it is now November. Should I plant it in a pot in the house for the winter or should I plant it outside now? Please give me some planting nstr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Foundation Plants for South Carolina November 07, 2009 What native plants are suitable as foundation plantings? My soil is heavy clayey loam with red clay subsoil. I live in Charleston County. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winterberry holly not fruiting October 22, 2009 Regarding Ilex verticillata, which I have planted in a partial sun, somewhere between all dry and all wet location, i don't see any red berries, and it's mid-october. We are in the 'burbs of just ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identfication October 21, 2009 Hi...Can you please identfy the tall, evergreen shrub with purple plum-colored foliage that I have noticed in winter locally?...Hope so, need he color! THX View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Noise reduction hedge row in Houston October 01, 2009 We live just one house back from the freeway and would like to plant a fast growing noise reduction 'hedge row' - close growing to 20-40 ft. We are looking at Leyland Cypress but know they aren't n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dog and kid barrier in East Wenatchee WA October 01, 2009 I have about a 8 foot section between my driveway and the neighbor's yard, and their kids and dogs like to run through it! I would like to plant a non-invasive 4-6 foot growing shrub/bush of some s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Weeds in Blue Rug juniper in Phoenix MD September 28, 2009 The landscaper planted Blue Rug Junipers around the Helleri Holly and Yews in front of my house ten years ago. The Blue Rug has done great and looks really nice. My problem is that weeds grow up in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants resistant to Verticillium wilt in Norco CA September 24, 2009 I'm looking for small trees, flowering shrubs & vines that are resistant to verticillium wilt. Fragrance would be a plus. Thank you so much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade tree for cemetery in Wilmington DE September 13, 2009 We are looking for a shade tree for a cemetery in Delaware. The tree will be planted only a few feet from some existing gravesites. What trees would you recommend that will not interfere with the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mediun-sized tree for southern California, possibly Monterey cypress September 07, 2009 Hello, I live in Glendora CA 91741, I am looking for a CA native non -deciduous medium size tree to provide shade in the front yard. I was thinking of monterey cypress; any suggestions and place to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for New Jersey September 01, 2009 Need suggestions for Zone 6; Up to 2-3'H compact; evergreen foundation plants; deer resistant; sunny-partial shade; clay soil conditions. Appreciate your input. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub for barrier fence in Alexandria, Virginia August 19, 2009 Hi. we need plants to act as a barrier fence, 15 feet tall, partial shade. We are considering a holly or virginia magnolia. What can you suggest? thank you, Nikita View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for townhome backyard in Fullerton, CA August 15, 2009 Hi, I live in a townhome with a big backyard here in Orange County. Last year, I got rid of my ficus trees that had grown too tall and big for a townhome backyard. Now, I would like to plant two tre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants native to Austin, TX August 05, 2009 Hello, I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region. Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of Ilex sp. by Seminole Indians to make black drink. August 03, 2009 Ilex myrtifolia: can the leaves be used as tea? Seminole indians made a black drink reputed to be made of holly leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for a garden in Greenville SC July 12, 2009 Beebalm, Threadleaf Coreopsis, a Yaupon Holly, a Southern Magnolia, and a Highbush Blueberry. And as a ground cover in some areas, we have Cinquefoil (which helped me choke out Indian strawberry!) But... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing yaupon hollies from yard in Austin July 04, 2009 We recently moved into a home w/ way too many and much too large (20-30') yaupon holly's in the back yard. I had some of them cut down, but they keep coming up from the roots of the old trees. How ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Brown leaves on possumhaw holly in Grandview TX July 02, 2009 What would be likely causes for brown leaves on possumhaw holly? We have 2, one was planted in spring 2008, and a slightly larger one planted late winter/early spring this year. Most of the leaves a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen in front of cinderblock wall in Los Angeles June 28, 2009 I'm looking for a privacy hedge to plant along my backyard's cinderblock wall in Los Angeles, CA. I need it to grow 10 - 15 feet and it can't be toxic to dogs. Any advice would be great! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for New Hampshire June 25, 2009 Will be landscaping next Spring: Do you think using 'Ilex Crenata'-Japanese Holly together with variegated Euonymus (species: fortunei) as shrub hedges in front of our house is a good combo? Do they... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low privacy hedge in Houston June 17, 2009 I am looking for a fast growing, dense (for privacy) shrub/s or plants, that will get at least 3-4+ feet high for a mostly shady area. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge in central Texas June 17, 2009 Help, my oleanders are dying. I am in need of hedge suggestions- ideal would be quick growing, maybe 8-12 feet at their tallest. I live in Central Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Savannah Holly plants in Friendswood, TX. June 17, 2009 I have planted 4 savannah hollies in front of my house, two on the left of the door and two on the right. If you are standing in front of my house and looking at the door, the sun rises at the back l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant, fast growing trees for screening June 01, 2009 Deer resistant, fast growing, native plants (trees) as a visual block. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Savannah holly sprouting in lawn in Oklahoma City May 24, 2009 I have a 15 year old Savannah Holly in a shrub bed. This year, seedlings have sprouted all over my front lawn. This is the first year that I have had this problem other than in the shrub bed itself. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dog-proof shrubs in Woodmere NY May 21, 2009 My chocolate lab thinks that shrubs are the same as "fetch" sticks..she's ripped out my azalea, rhododendron, andromeda and a few others I'm not sure of the names. She's a great pup (almost 1 yr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy shield for Long Island, NY May 13, 2009 I live in Long Island New York (Smithtown), Zone 6, I think. My yard has mostly shade and I would like to plant something for privacy along my back fence because my neighbors house is close and their... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants that ducks will not eat May 12, 2009 I own a lot of ducks and see a lot of people asking what kind of plants will they "NOT" eat... I know of some through experience.. Anything with shiny leave.. They don't touch my English ivy, rose... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Height of tree to block sun on deck in Arlington MA May 12, 2009 I am trying to figure out how tall a tree I should buy in order to make sure to block out the sun on my deck View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for Painted Lady May 10, 2009 Where can I buy plants for the painted lady butterfly larvae in Houston? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade and Rain Garden in South Carolina May 08, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have two seperate but important questions for your mastery of native plant knowledge. First, I live in a thick, 112 ft. tall white oak forest. Therefore, there is lot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for Rindge, NH May 06, 2009 We are building a new house and I want to get shrubs/bushes that stay green all year long (ie:hollyberry)to put in front and around our house. Which of these would go closest to the house? I'd like t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yaupons not showing berries in Euless, TX May 04, 2009 From all I have read, Possumhaw holly is supposed to have berries only on the female. However I have been told and read conflicting things about whether you must have both a male & female in order f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dead-appearing Royal Paulownia trees in Manteno, IL May 02, 2009 Have two Royal Paulownia trees two years old.Last fall all leaves fell off. Have two eight foot toothpicks. This spring, nothing happening.Are they dead or will they come back? If they come back what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Older leaves yellowing on Savannah holly in Dallas May 01, 2009 I planted a Savannah Holly in Dallas, TX in the Fall of 2008. It has new growth and some white buds all over it, but some of the older leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Is this normal? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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