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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| What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX? May 16, 2011 I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shaded Trellis Plants for Georgetown TX May 14, 2011 What native plants work well on a trellis that will be placed in an area that remains shaded most of the day? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shaded area under pecan trees May 11, 2011 The east side of our Houston home has a 15 foot strip overhung with pecan trees. The shade by the start of summer is so dense that grass dies pretty quickly. I'd like to keep enough grass for the k... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low water use tree to shade pond in Burnet TX May 10, 2011 I'm in need of some shade at a 1/2 acre pond, but I don't want a tree to consume so much water that it will lower the water level. During droughts the little pond needs all the water it can get. Som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade tree with non-aggressive roots for next to pool in The Woodlands TX April 26, 2011 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. We live in Spring, TX and are looking for a full-sun shade tree to plant in a large planter (about 6'x6') next to our pool. We want the tree to provide shade for our full a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Year-round ground cover for sun/shade April 24, 2011 Looking for a native ground cover for shade and middle afternoon/evening sun. Would like it to cover all year. I planted aguga and it froze. I have two large beds (I used about 70 4in plants for ea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade tree with no roots to interfere with patio in Lake City FL April 24, 2011 I have a 4x4 area surrounded by cement patio but would like a tree for shade that does not have roots that will mess up the slab. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Partial shade plants for underneath ash tree in Tarrant County, Texas April 20, 2011 I have a BIG Ash Tree in my front yard that blocks out most afternoon sun. I generally get morning and evening sun. I am looking for something to plant around the base of the tree so my yard doesn'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ornamental shade grasses for Dover AR April 16, 2011 Ornamental shade grasses for sandy soil or silt, part shade, or even vines. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Annabelle hydrangeas blossoms drooping to ground in Wilmette, IL April 10, 2011 I have a row of Annabelle Hydrangeas that become very heavy and droop over the entire width of the bed. I would like to know what I can use for support so that they will stand up and allow me to plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sun and shade landscaping in Coppell TX April 03, 2011 My two-story home in Coppell Texas faces north. The houses are ten feet apart. The sun leaves the front yard late-0ctober/early-November. It is March 24 and the beds are still in house shade. In s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| North-central Texas shrubs for part-shade March 30, 2011 I need a shrub that will be OK in shade (2-3 hrs a day max.), in fairly well-drained soil, will grow to around 8 ft. tall and 4-6 wide, for the region between Denton and Gainesville. If it flowers, al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Choice of shade trees from the City of Austin March 29, 2011 I have a choice of three shade trees from the city of Austin. They are Live Oak, Elm, Cedar. Although I am happy to have a free tree, I think the choices are not the best for my home. I have a small ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees for NC March 22, 2011 What fast growing non invasive tree would be good to plant in a sub-division that could possibly shade my 2 story house? I would like it to have a tap root system so that it is strong in windy condit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant, drought and shade tolerant plants to go under oak tree in Austin March 21, 2011 What is the best deer resistant, drought resistant native plant to grow under my huge Oak tree? Grass does not grow. Will iris bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Container plants for shade in Austin March 15, 2011 I reside in 78739. Just moving here from So Cal (where all plants are perennials), I'm looking to create a good "Shade loving" Container for near my front door. I'm looking at 'Summer Wave' Wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Shade Tree for Central Texas February 26, 2011 My parents are buried in Round Mountain Cemetery close to Marble Falls, TX. Can you recommend a tree or shrub we can plant to shade their graves? We need something that can survive and grow in the h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for a shady spot in IL February 26, 2011 I have a low-sun spot on the side of my house in Chicago, IL. I would really like to turn this spot into a wildflower garden. Could you suggest some native IL flowers that might work in this spot? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wet & Shade in South Austin February 19, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants - I live in south Austin (S. of Ben White) in a new development. Our houses are fairly close together, so there's little sun between them. The issue is that when it does rain, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade-loving Grass for the Houston area February 09, 2011 I have an ash tree that completely shades the majority of our front yard and is not allowing the St. Augustine grass to grow. Is there a shade-loving grass good for the Houston area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for a shrub to provide shade to the west side of a home in Ft. Worth, TX February 07, 2011 We are on a corner lot and are looking for a tall tree or shrub to block the west side of our house. There is only a 5 foot area space between the sidewalk and side driveway where we want to plant th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-poisonous trees to shade horse pasture in Leesville SC February 07, 2011 Please list NON-poisonous trees for horses in South Carolina. I would live to plant a few trees along the fence of my horse pasture and in my horse pasture for shade. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-Poisonous, Shade Tolerant Vine for Austin February 01, 2011 Hello, I live in northwest Austin and have a very shady wood fence I would like to cover and was thinking about a vine. I have a toddler and a dog so anything poisonous is out of the question. I woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for small pots in sun in Austin January 24, 2011 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! We are renting our house, so while we have a yard, the landlord would prefer us to only add plants to his landscaping in pots. I have filled some large ones, but have been una... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees for horses in Merced, CA January 21, 2011 I would like to plant some trees to provide shade for horses in the pasture. What native trees are drought resistant (water may be spotty in the summer) yet safe for the animals? I live in the Calif... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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