Native Plants
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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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| How to get Poison Ivy? November 22, 2015 I know this is a silly question but we have a lot of poison ivy in the area and I know that birds eat the seeds and berries, can you get poison ivy from bird poop or track it in the house? From shoes ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Food Allergy to Beautyberry or Persimmon? October 22, 2015 I think I might have a food allergy to Beautyberry or American Persimmon, eaten Saturday at the North Carolina Great Dismal park. These were the only strange foods recently, though I've had persimmo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is the plant called wingspan? September 21, 2014 I have a lot of environmental allergies and saw a positive result for "wingspan" yet I cannot find ANY information online about that particular plant. I was told it's "tumbleweed" by the medical ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pfluegerville Screening Hedge May 25, 2014 We live just north of Austin in a subdivision built on farm land so we have relatively flat land with good soil. We just put in a pool and are needing a privacy hedge along our 66 ft back fence. We ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for Ashe Juniper seeds from Blanco Co., TX March 10, 2014 I'm trying to find Ashe Juniper seeds to plant in bare areas of my property in central Texas. I understand they grow well in rockier soil and have many other benefits for native animal species. Unfo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Natural privacy hedge for Kyle Texas January 06, 2014 I am looking to make a natural privacy screen in the Kyle Texas area. I am being pointed towards Leyland Cypress by some and told to shy away from this tree by others. I found Green Giant Arborvitae a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Injury from non-native Canary Palm from Torrance CA October 18, 2013 I got stuck in the eye a yr ago by a Phoenix canariensis. It went through my retina and through the integral chamber and put a stamp on my lense. There was no room for any more err without causing bli... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Trees for Pflugerville TX September 28, 2013 I'm looking for suggestions on native, drought tolerant conifers that can be located in a Pflugerville landscape under overhead electric lines. Open to Arizona Cypress, but concerned about the height... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Springbeauty in New Jersey and Dog Allergies May 11, 2013 Is Claytonia virginica in New Jersey and could my dog be allergic to it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Skin allergies; is Juniper the culprit in Simi Valley, CA? July 21, 2012 My husband and I have had terrible skin allergy problems this spring (for me it's been 3 years) and think it may be the juniper bushes outside our bedroom and kitchen windows. Is there a fast growin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source of Allergies in Austin, TX June 19, 2012 Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants. I live in Northwest Austin and I've been suffering from allergies since moving to Austin. The allergies seem to occur at least once a year for at least a month or two. Beg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sap from agave causing reactions from Edgewater FL April 06, 2012 Not only was I stuck with the century plant thorns and needle like ends when I was digging up its pups, but I also broke the carrot-like root of a few when I was transplanting and got the white sap on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence March 15, 2012 I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Reducing Allergens in Yards and Gardens January 31, 2012 What are some allergen-free native plants to Central Texas that thrive in the soil and can survive in the weather? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees and shrubs turning brown in Dripping Springs TX October 31, 2011 Due to the extended drought - a number of trees and shrubs in our Dripping Springs area property have turned brown. Specifically: Live Oak; Agarita; Ash Juniper; Cedar Elm. Is this a dormant stag... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Allergy-causing plant in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area March 17, 2011 Do you know what is growing (or floating in the air) in the DFW metroplex now, but not growing or floating the rest of the year? I have a 3 year old that has gotten extremely itchy this time of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dogs developing allergic skin problems in Waco TX February 24, 2011 We have 2 West Highland White terriers..since we moved 2 yrs. ago, they have developed TERRIBLE skin problems at our new home, about 5 miles from our old home, in Waco. What contact plants, shrub... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pollenless Cedar Elms for Georgetown, Texas September 28, 2010 I am considering planting the Cedar Elm tree at my home in Georgetown, Texas. I was under the impression that only the female of the species produces the irritating pollen. Is this true? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How far east to avoid Ashe juniper pollen from Austin? September 04, 2010 How far East of San Antonio and Austin do I have to go to avoid the pollen of Juniperus Ashei? Is Bastrop county safe? I'd be happy if it were gone 90% of the winter days - will the wind keep it aw... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen drought-tolerant screening plant for shade May 13, 2010 I am renting my place and looking for a screening, green all year, native plant or shrub. I plan to grow it in large planters along my street and to create privacy in my back yard. It has to be a non... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening plant for wall in Florida February 26, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants, I live near Tampa, FL and I want to put a line of privacy plants/hedges along a brick wall. The wall is 6' high with openings in the top 3' of the wall. The length of the w... 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 | ||
| Shrub for shade in Rockford IL April 29, 2009 I live in Rockford, IL and would like to know what kind of bush to plant in pretty much, full shade. I would prefer to stay away from evergreens due to allergies. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What do cedars do to cause cedar fever? February 20, 2009 What do the native cedars in Fate Tx do in the winter that causes allergies to get really bad that they have named it cedar fever View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of giant ragweed in Austin October 25, 2008 How can I get rid of a large field of giant ragweed? Part of the site is a steep slope, which is difficult to mow. I want to encourage native grasses but they are crowded out by the ragweed. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Avoiding cedar elm because of allergens August 18, 2008 Hi. Cedar elm, Ulmus crassifolia, seems like a wonderful, tough, drought tolerant native tree. I'd like to plant several to shade buildings. I'm being discouraged from doing so because Cedar elm ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Selection of trees for new home June 30, 2008 We are moving to Roanoke, Texas(Denton County) into a new home. Our home will have 3 trees which we can choose. They are Texas Ash, Live Oak, Sweetgum, Silver Leak maple, Cedar Elm and Bradford Pear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tea made from timothy grass June 20, 2008 My mom and I have been drinking tea made from Timothy grass seed for many years, 40 at least. It is delicious, and refreshing. My question is can you see any harm in drinking tea made from the seeds o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native substitute for traditional Christmas tree December 01, 2007 Could you give some recommendations for a substitute of the traditional Christmas tree used during the holiday season? The low light/humidity conditions in the home is a challenge under any circumsta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eastern red cedar for indoor Christmas tree November 06, 2007 I would love to have a live b&b or container tree for a Christmas tree, then plant it in the ground after Christmas. Would a Eastern Cedar survive if I brought it inside for a couple of weeks before p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast growing, tall evergreens for privacy in Buda, Texas June 09, 2007 I need to plant fast growing tall evergreens along a western 6 ft privacy fence. The function is privacy, and sound deadening. Our western privacy fence is along a 2 way noisy highway. Please advise a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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