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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| Large tree and smaller specimen tree for Austin, Texas May 01, 2007 We are in the process of removing two Silver Maples in our front yard planted by the previous owner of our house. We live close to the Wildflower Center and have very shallow soil on top of rock. We... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Determining ripeness of seeds of Crotonn texensis May 01, 2007 How can I tell when the seeds of Croton texensis are "ripe"? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cat deterents May 01, 2007 I was wondering if there is such a plant that will deter cats from going in your gardens. I have a problem with them using my garden as a litter box, and had heard that there was a plant that the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardiness of bluebonnet seeds under water and white bluebonnets April 30, 2007 I was trying to find out more about the hardiness of bluebonnets. We own a lot on Lake Travis near Spicewood Texas. As you are probably aware, the lake was very low this spring due to a drought that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for Italianate garden April 29, 2007 Hi, I am looking at buying a house in Abilene, Texas that has an established burnt grass yard. The house is Italianate and requires bold plantings. Is there a way to establish a relatively Italinate... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will Hyacinth Beans and Cardinal vine (non-natives) grow in Texas? April 28, 2007 I live in Coppell, TX, and a neighbor gave me some Hyacinith Beans and Cardinal Vine seeds to plant. She described these as doing well in her local garden, but I cannot find a photo or picture of them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting bluebonnets along highway April 28, 2007 We are in the process of fencing our land located on a main highway. We are supposed to fence 80ft. from the center of the highway. That is a lot of land just sitting there. I wanted to know since we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris) April 27, 2007 I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| About African Violets April 26, 2007 I have an African Violet. i clipped a leaf off and rooted it and i have a baby pink-leafed African Violet now, not pink flowers, pink leaves. It struck me as odd. i never saw one like this before. i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Germination of Texas wildflowers in jiffy pots April 26, 2007 My daughter is planning to grow a Texas Wildflower (indoor for starters) garden for a project. We recently purchased seeds from your store. Will planting them in jiffy pots be sufficient to sprout t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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