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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| Should wax myrtles (Morella cerifera) be pruned? April 26, 2007 We planted Wax Myrtles in our backyard as a wall for privacy from the lot behind ours. Should we prune or cut back the tops periodically to get more fully developed bushes or let them grow naturally? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for sabadilla lily (Scheonocaulon officinale) April 25, 2007 Hi, i'm Dutch and living in Iquitos Amazone Peru. Now i'm looking for the plant sabadilla lilly (sapadilla lilly?). This is a natural pesticide. Where does this plant grow, where can I find the pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to get rid of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) April 25, 2007 Our school grounds are infested with lots of poison ivy. What is best remedy for extensive growth? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Safety of Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel tree) for parrots April 25, 2007 Do you have any information on the possible toxicity of Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel tree, sea myrtle) most especially the trunks/branches? We have it all over our property, and I'm curious if it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification and replacement of chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) April 24, 2007 I am trying to identify and locate a native tree. We live in Fairview, near Allen, Texas. It is in bloom now. It has fragrant small lavender 5 petal flowers in clusters. They develop into yellow/t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting time for bluebonnets April 23, 2007 When is the best time to plant bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive nature of non-native Zoysia japonica grass April 22, 2007 I have been reading up on Zoysia grass and I am curious about its invasive nature. Is there a good way to keep it from going into my neighbors' yards? I was thinking about using some edging material... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Iris brevicaulis in Southwest Michigan April 22, 2007 We live in Kalamazoo, MI (Southwest Michigan Zone 6) and discovered last year that we have an iris brevicaulis (we think) growing (and very pretty) on our property. It has the "zig zag" stem. It see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pollinator for Juniperus virginiana "Grey Owl" April 22, 2007 I would like to buy Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' as a source of berries for birds. 'Grey Owl' is a female clone, so it obviously must need a male pollinator. What J. virginiana male pollinato... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Time of year for wildflower viewing in Northern Indiana and Michigan April 22, 2007 I used to live in the southern US but now live in Northern Indiana and was wondering if wildflower fields will be blooming here and in Michigan by early May (I was hoping to do some rural exploring th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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