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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Horses exposed to toxic plants in Charles Town WV July 13, 2010 Mr. Smarty Pants, I have a big problem on my hands! Four of my horses have gotten into something toxic, but I must find out what. I found an unusual plant that a mare chased her foal away from. It's ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are Chilean Mesquite pods poisonous to dogs? July 12, 2010 Are chilean Mesquite tree pods poisonous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poisonous weeds in Bedford County, PA June 21, 2010 I am battling my second bad round of poison in a month, this time on my face and in my left eye. It's awful. Problem is, I have looked and looked for poison ivy, oak and sumac around my neighborhoo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pet-friendly plants for ground cover in Bastrop TX June 21, 2010 Any pet-friendly plants that can be used for ground-cover in Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Thorn in the hand in Benton KY June 14, 2010 My husband got stuck by a thorn on a thorn bush and the thorn was a goldish copper color. There is a knot on his hand and pain in his fingers to his elbow. Do you know what kind of bush this could b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is non-native Tillandsia air plant poisonous to cats? June 07, 2010 Are Tillandsia/air plants poisonous to cats? Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are globe mallows (Sphaeralcea spp.) harmful to dogs May 20, 2010 My dogs eat the wild globe mallow plants in my yard. Could that be harmful to them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is arborvitate (Thuja sp.) safe for horses May 16, 2010 Is arborvitae poisonous to horses? I want to plant it along the horse pasture. If it is poisonous, what are similar plants that are not poisonous to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poisonous thorn in Marion NC May 16, 2010 Yesterday my son got a thorn stuck in his foot. I removed it but his foot is still swollen and puffy today. What kind of plants have poisonous thorns? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is the Magnolia 'Ann' safe for horses May 14, 2010 I bought a magnolia "ann". Will it hurt my horses to eat any part of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought-tolerant plants that are non-toxic to dogs May 10, 2010 I am looking for drought-tolerant native plants non-poisonious to dogs. We are putting gardens in an area the dog has access to, and she likes to sample the darndest things. South side of the house,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Alternative to Carolina Cherry Laurel in Cedar Park TX May 10, 2010 I love the look of the Carolina Cherry Laurel but hear that its berries are poisonous and can harm my dog if he eats them. What are some other alternatives that have a similar look; I'm looking for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
New house plant in pot in Chevy Chase MD May 07, 2010 Is it possible for one house plant to eventually die in the pot while a completely different plant grows in its place? The new plant looks similar to the potted plant next to it but it is not quite t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recommended plants for horse farm in Lansford PA April 22, 2010 Recently started a small horse farm in northeast Pennsylvania just east of the Pocono Mountain plateau. Located in a foggy valley adjacent to a lake. Snowy, cold winters; wet springs; dry summers; ni... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Florida anisetree appropriate for school planting in New Orleans? April 22, 2010 Illicium floridanum, Florida anisetree We are considering using this plant for a landscape at a school. I have been informed that it is poisonous, but not by a reliable source. I am otherwise very... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is the California Poppy posionous to dogs? April 16, 2010 Can you tell me if the wild orange-colored California poppy is poisonous to dogs? They grow like weeds in my yard. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen pet-safe shrubs for house and screening in McKinney TX April 15, 2010 Looking for shrub, preferably evergreen, to plant near the house that can handle wet ground and is pet (dog, cat, horse) safe. The area became boggy after we had an underground water leak that is now ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses? March 28, 2010 Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pruning the leaves of Sago Palm. March 10, 2010 Is it a cardinal sin to remove all the sago palm branches? This winter they were so badly scorched by the cold that hardly a frond went unaffected. So I cut them all off as I needed to get around the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cutting back non-native oleanders affected by freeze in Austin January 30, 2010 After the last hard freeze makes my oleanders look dead. Can I cut them down to the ground this time of year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need information about the toxicity of some newly acquired plants in Austin, TX January 04, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I just got a Carolina Buckthorn tree, a silk tassel, a wafer ash, and an escarpment black cherry tree. I wonder if any of these trees produce berries that would be poisonous to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Could ammonia harm poisonous, non-native oleander in Bay Point CA December 20, 2009 Could ammonia harm my Oleander plant? I have been spraying ammonia under it to keep neighborhood cats from using the soil under the plant as a sand box. If so, do you have any suggestions as to what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Norfolk pine poisonous to cats? December 11, 2009 Is a northfork pine poisonous to cats? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Injury while pulling weeds in Chandler TX November 18, 2009 I stabbed my self this last weekend when pulling roots from a bed so i'm not sure what it was. At the time it was a sharp pain so I pulled off my glove to look at it,barely scratched the skin so on I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Spots on leaves of sevenleaf creeper in Austin November 14, 2009 Have 3 seven leaf creepers that are planted in mostly shade. In Sept & Oct 2009 all 3 plants had dried up leaves which fell off; however, all three plants grew new leaves when we got rain and are com... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fall care for Fan Scarlet lobelia in Rock Island IL November 09, 2009 What do I do with Scarlet Fan lobelia in the fall; do I cut it back or let it go as is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are the seeds of Texas ebony poisonous to dogs from Chandler AZ October 30, 2009 Please tell me if it is dangerous for my puppy to eat the seeds of a Texas ebony. She seems to be attracted to them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Parthenocissus heptaphylla poisonous? October 27, 2009 Hi, I have a simple question for you, but I can't seem to find the answer to it. Is Parthenocissus heptaphylla toxic the way the VA creeper is? From what I've read, they're very similar in many way... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is hopseed bush poisonous to horses in San Diego October 26, 2009 I need to plant a hedge to block unwanted neighbors and shield the horse corral from the house. I love the hopseed bush for its growing habits and color, especially the purple hopseed. I need to know ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are Smilax species toxic? October 23, 2009 I have a plant that the agriculture department told me was similax. I have a severe allergic reaction to it, after digging up the roots (potato) and burning them. I had a feeling my lungs inside were ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Datura in the state of Washington. October 09, 2009 I have a datura species growing beneath my bird feeder. How did it get here in Western Washington?? It has the typical fragrant, tubular flowers & spiky seed pods. It has grown 3' tall & 4' wide. Am... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are leatherleaf viburnum or Carolina Sapphire toxic to horses? October 03, 2009 Are Leather-leaf Viburnum or Carolina Saphire toxic to equine? I would like to plant them near the fence line. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Precautions to take with Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum September 13, 2009 Are there precautions to take, such as wearing gloves while separating the seeds from the Jack In The Pulpit berries. The photos I have seen have gloved hands. I've read that the plant is toxic if in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Itchy hands from handling Lantana plants September 13, 2009 I am in Ocala,FL. I pick up with my hands branches from a cut down Lantana Plant. My hands are very itchy, what can I do. THANK YOU FOR YOU. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants and possible poisonous plants in Aguanga, California August 31, 2009 I am in the process of moving to Aguanga California. I am interested in knowing what the native plants are in that area. Are they poison to animals and kids? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trimming Texas mountain laurel in Austin August 27, 2009 Is there a specific time to trim established mountain laurels? Should I cut off the dried seed pods since they are weighing down the branches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are palm leaves poisonous? August 25, 2009 I live in a second story house surronded by various types of palm trees on the west coast of Florida. My 1 year old son crawls on the decks and tries to taste all of the palm leaves that sneak through... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants safe for donkeys in Foristell MO August 22, 2009 I am looking for a plant that can grow next to a farm fence, preferably the length of the fence approx 75 ft. in a long row, one that miniature donkeys can safely eat, if they so choose. I like your ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting adventitious shoots of a mountain laurel in San Antonio August 20, 2009 Is it possible to transplant branches (shoots) growing from a mountain laurel that was chopped down? Some are two years old and several feet tall (but not yet blooming) and some as small as a foot. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Toxicity of Yucca leaves San Marcos, TX August 19, 2009 Can you tell me if Yucca constricta leaves are poisonous? I ran into one at night and the next morning had a hive-like, VERY itchy rash. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Toxic effect of mulberry fruits and sap August 18, 2009 What would be the toxic effect of the unripe fruit of the mulberry tree or the white sap? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What tree berries causes blisters in PA? July 22, 2009 This summer my family was playing with some berries picked from a tree in our backyard. They would place them in their mouths and shoot them through homemade pea-shooters. Shortly after everyone beg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is carrotwood poisonous to Boston Terrier in Rancho Cucamonga CA? July 20, 2009 My Boston Terrier always goes to our carrotwood tree and licks the base. He gets so excited that he drools all over the place? Why does this tree cause this reaction in our dog? Is it poisonous to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Desert willow poisonous to horses in Boerne TX July 17, 2009 I have just purchased Bubba Desert Willows and have horses. Will they eat them, do you know and if so will they be harmed? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant identification from Peoria IL July 10, 2009 I removed a plant from our workplace that employees were afraid was hallucinogenic seeds. Central Illinois. Very purple stem. Purple flowers. Black seeds. Any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Skin irritation caused by hydrangea in Monroe GA July 06, 2009 Can Queen Anne Lace hydrangea cause a skin irritation such as poison ivy or oak? I picked up a branch that had broken off to discard and the following day I have a place on my arm about six inches lon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants to replace poison ivy in Kingsport TN July 03, 2009 Am in the process of killing off poison ivy that is growing vigorously. What do you recommend to plant in its place. I don't want to leave area open to other invasive plants. (Yes, poison ivy is a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removing poison ivy around live oak in Hockley TX July 02, 2009 We have a large live oak in our backyard, estimated to be over 100 years old. I am working on clearing out the brush that is under the tree. Can I spray commercially available poison ivy killer in t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poisonous cherries from trees in Angola, IN June 25, 2009 Are there any poisonous cherries from trees in Indiana? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Palm tip wound in Sacramento CA June 25, 2009 My husband was stuck in his calf with a palm leaf, he is now complaining of stiffness where it went in, is there any kind of poison in it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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