Native Plants
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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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| topic | question | |
| TIps for tree grafting. March 10, 2010 When should you start grafting trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to transplant agarita in Floresville, TX. March 10, 2010 How is the best way to propagate Agarita? I have acres of them in the pasture but want some for the house landscape and to grow. I was told they go dormant for a year if you dig them up to transplan... 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 | ||
| Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin January 21, 2010 I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blossoms but no fruit for gooseberries in Enoch UT January 16, 2010 My gooseberries always get loads of blossoms, but I never get fruit. I think they need more sun, and thus, want to transplant them to a sunnier location. What (and when) is the best way to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When can bluebonnet seeds in freezer be planted in Midland TX January 12, 2010 I have a large pkg of bluebonnets in my freezer that I had planned to plant in October and forgot. Is January too late for Bluebonnets to come up in March-April? A year ago in Spring my brother and I... 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 |  | |
| Pollination of dwarf wax myrtles in Lucas TX January 02, 2010 I recently planted 3 dwarf wax myrtles then realized all were females. Do you know if the full-sized version can be used to pollinate the dwarfs? Any idea how close the pollinator needs to be? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why do some plants resprout in Spring from Crestwood KY December 08, 2009 I am a 5th grade student at Crestwood Elementary School; and one of my classmates came up with an excellent question that I can not answer. Here it is: Why do some plants (like bulbs) resprout in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Timing for planting wildflower seeds in the Pacific Northwest November 27, 2009 Do you think it is better to sow wildflower seeds in the Pacific NW in the Fall/early Winter or Spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Few seeds from turkscap in Seguin, TX November 14, 2009 I have several Turk's cap plants but most do not produce seed. Any ideas? They have been in place 5 plus years. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why is my yaupon tree not producing berries in Metairie La? November 04, 2009 What is the lifespan of a Yaupon Tree? We live in Louisiana, and our Yaupon would always get the white flowers in the Spring but never the red berries. Why is that? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of American Beautyberry November 03, 2009 Hello. I would love to know how to propagate the American Beauty (Texas Location) as I think it is most gorgeous. We lost most of our shrubs/plants in Ike and are replacing them. If I do these from ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are there production timing guides for native plant production? October 27, 2009 We need growers timetable guide for native plants from seed to salable size. Any already published guides out there? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sales of horseherb seeds in Arlington, TX area October 27, 2009 Where can I purchase horseherb seeds in Arlington tx.or Dallas Ft.Worth area View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Germination of Passiflora suberosa in Monterrey Mexico October 26, 2009 Hello, I need recommendation on how to germinate Passiflora seeds. I have a Passiflora suberosa plant, not on your database but native, and have fresh fuits of it. They look very much like a blueber... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Gathering Purple Coneflower seeds in Burnet TX October 10, 2009 I have grown some Purple Coneflower and now am trying to save the seeds to plant next spring. I have a bucket full of dried tops and I know there is a lot of seeds. Is there an easy way to separate ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating American Beautyberry in Medina OH October 05, 2009 I brought home a small branch of American beautyberries when I was vacationing in N. Carolina. How do I go about planting them and will they survive in the Cleveland area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cold hardiness of Liatris bulbs October 05, 2009 I live in Lexington KY - This spring I planted Liatris or Blazing Stars. Should I take up the bulbs and replant in spring or leave them in the ground? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of pups from Century Plant after blooming in Prairieville LA October 03, 2009 Will the main part of the century plant always die after it grows a stalk? I have babies coming off the base and need to know if I should separate them to keep them alive. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Mexican buckeye from seeds in San Antonio October 02, 2009 I recently collected seeds from a Mexican buckeye. Is it best to plant them now or wait until spring? Do they need to be scarified? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating a new tree from a magnolia in Johnsburg IL September 22, 2009 My friend would like to reroot her magnolia tree in her front yard to bring it with her to Memphis. The tree is huge and easiest to reroot if possible. Does she trim branches to root, or dry the seeds... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Nutlet on rudbekia plants from Quincy IL September 21, 2009 On rudbeckia plants, what is a nutlet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing obedient plant in New Waterford OH September 19, 2009 I live in northeast Ohio, and have an obedient plant, which has spread, (a little) since last year when I bought it. I really do like the plant, and wanted to put it in several more areas in the garde... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of Turk's cap in Midland TX September 08, 2009 My turk's cap won't make flowers. It has daily watering via irrigation system, and soft amended soil. The plant is beautiful and thriving, but no flowers. What should I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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