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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| Trees for Privacy Screening in Central Texas July 11, 2016 I live in Cedar Park, Texas and have a neighbor who likes to have parties. I need a evergreen tree/hedge that will provide privacy and sound barrier. We have some wax myrtles but they don't work. We ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Savannah Holly True to Seed? July 03, 2016 I read your information on Savannah holly. Does this mean that none of the berries will produce a Savannah holly (Ilex x attenuata) but will either be Ilex cassine or Ilex opaca seeds? Thanks so much... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Questions about hollyhocks and yucca May 25, 2016 I have 2 questions. In Western N.Y. State the hollyhocks grow like weeds but add color with their large stalks. I've sent for seeds and the best I can do in N.W.Travis county is 9 inch plants that die... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Two Holly Cultivars for a Texas Front Landscape? February 22, 2016 We are starting a new with our landscape. All existing 30-year-old plants are going to be removed. We would like a focal point at the front door area and are considering 'Savannah' or 'Nellie R. St... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can a dog die from eating a holly bush? January 12, 2016 Can a dog die from eating a holly bush? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard December 17, 2015 I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Tree for Narrow Space in PA October 04, 2015 I have a narrow space along my cedar fence in full sun. A Japanese maple approximately 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide is failing there due to winter rodent damage to its base. I would like to replace i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-Tolerant Plants for Arizona July 16, 2015 Slowly turning south-facing lawn to drought-tolerant plantings with gravel paths. Mature Ponderosa and several blue spruce and junipers surround area. Grass area I'm converting with a few larger tr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Trees for Low Maintenance Screen April 18, 2015 We live in Pacifica, CA and are looking to plant a row of low maintenance trees in our back yard along our fence, that grow to be a maximum of 15' high, that stay green year round. What do you recomm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cold Hardy Hibiscus for Central Texas April 18, 2015 What variety of Hibiscus is cold hardy for Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast Growing Shrub for Oceanside New York Site April 17, 2015 Can you recommend a tall, fast-growing shrub for a sandy location (near an ocean beach in New York) in full sun? I’m looking for a privacy shield. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Short, Natural Evergreen Shrubs for Texas March 12, 2015 I am looking for small/dwarf evergreen shrubs that, when mature, will be no larger than three feet tall. If possible I would like shrubs that are graceful and more natural looking rather than “regimen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for Amber Jubilee Ninebark in California November 22, 2014 AMBER JUBILEE bush separating my neighbor and me, is spreading its roots into our water pipes. Want to rip out. What plants are root friendly and also give you privacy? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of blue sage-like plant blooming in September in Lubbock TX November 07, 2014 This has bothered me for years. It looks like a miniature version of Salvia azure. About a foot talk with multiple stems. Flowering in September. Grows on the hillsides overlooking Buddy Holly Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree Recommendations for Hutto, TX September 28, 2014 I live in Hutto, TX. I want shade trees in my back yard. I would like a fast growing tree as well as a slower growing tree. What trees are recommended for my area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dwarf Yaupon Holly Cultivar Heights September 18, 2014 What is the largest of the dwarf yaupons? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Live Oak Suckers or ??? in Arlington, TX September 12, 2014 Do I have live oak suckers or an invasive plant? We bought a house a few years ago in Arlington, TX with two beautiful old live oak trees, and mostly just bare sand-dirt under them. Under one t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Red berries growing along county road in Caldwell County, Texas September 06, 2014 Hello, first I would like to thank you for your time. I thank it's great that you guys and girls answer questions (I'm sure y'all are busy). That being said I will get to the question. On the sides... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-Tolerant, Evergreen Groundcover for CA August 21, 2014 We are looking for a drought tolerant, evergreen groundcover for California. I am considering Sarcococca hookeriana and Cotoneaster dammeri but don't know if they're the best options for the area. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Ilex x attenuata (Savannah holly) July 31, 2014 Is it hard to take a savannah holly out of my front yard? Do the roots grow down deep or are they more shallow? I can only take a 36-40 rootball circumference because of surrounding established shru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening Plants for Cape Cod June 17, 2014 I need to plant some fairly high growing leafy plants/bushes/trees for privacy and as a sound barrier in (the remains of) a pine forest in Cape Cod, MA. The pines grow tall and skinny so that we can s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Decline of sheared dwarf hollies from Rockwall TX May 31, 2014 I have 20 year old established dwarf yaupon hollies in front of the house that I trim every year and shape the same. This year the new growth that was 2 1/2 " long I noticed the new leaves were curli... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of possumhaw from Austin May 22, 2014 I planted a possumhaw holly plant about 3 months ago and am really excited to watch it grow from its current 3-foot height. It is starting to berry right now. My question is about those berries: (Cle... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Trees for Pleasanton, CA April 30, 2014 I was looking for some fast growing trees for my backyard that backs up to Valley Ave in Pleasanton, Ca. The city just cut down 4 Redwoods behind me and there is so much noise from the traffic now Ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade tolerant plants for privacy from Larchmont NY April 19, 2014 Love your site! We have a 4'x4'x50' stone wall, full sun, with a planting bed 30"H by 24"D. We're looking for privacy, so a hedge with pruning is needed. We have looked at Ilex Crenata (8'),... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Full Shade Plants for Muncy PA April 10, 2014 I need a suggestion for almost full shade plants for central Pennsylvania. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dying foliage on non-native Otto Luyken Laurel from Georgetown KY April 09, 2014 I have 5 luken laurel scrubs planted around foundation. They have done very well until this last winter..the foilage is now brown and crispy. Will they come back? Do I need to prune back the damage... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade tolerant evergreens for privacy shield in Louisville KY March 10, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Our property is adjacent to the highway for ~ 200ft. I'm looking for partial-to-full shade tolerant evergreens that will grow to be relatively tall. Our soil is clay and g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Plant for a Sunny South-facing House Wall in Tucson March 01, 2014 I have a problematic block wall on the south side of the house and I what a plant to soften the look of the wall. I tried butterfly bush which I'm told died from of bounce-back heat from the wall. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Berries on cultivars of Ilex verticillata from Oak Park, IL February 19, 2014 I have three ilex verticillata cultivars (2 Nana, 1 Jim Dandy) planted on the west side of my house in a very shady site (there's a mature over-spreading hackberry on the parkway just to the west and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing privacy shrub for Northern California home January 22, 2014 We have purchased a home in Anderson CA. We want a privacy shrub along the roadside of our home to reduce noise. 60'x 25' of full sun with rocky soil and many Oak trees.We want something that will ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A Native Tree for Ardmore PA January 15, 2014 I am looking to plant a native tree in my back yard. The yard is small and gets mostly afternoon sun. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low evergreen drought-resistant shrubs for area in partial shade January 03, 2014 I promised my mom to help her with some new plants for her house, so here goes. She lives near Waco on Blackland clay soil. The problem area is right in front of the house. It only receives a few hour... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Oak root resistant hedge for Southern California December 28, 2013 I live in Southern California and my cypress hedge has oak root fungus. What kind of hedge can I plant that will grow fast and be resistant to the fungus? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Dwarf Yaupon Holly in Texas December 04, 2013 We planted 10 extra dwarf yaupons in our Austin front yard. They were identified as 'Gremici' dwarf yaupon. I googled them to get more information about them in order to determine why five have di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine in Tennessee November 08, 2013 I am trying to identify a vine growing on the ground under what looks to be a holly bush. I have pictures of it if there is an email I can send them to? Thank You!!!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Savannah holly from Livingston TX October 05, 2013 Our Savannah Holly standards, planted in spring 2012, are now 10' tall, with 2-3" caliper trunks at the base. Some are in decline or have died. We thought the ribbons holding them to the nursery's ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees for Plum Grove, TX October 05, 2013 Sorry Mr. Smarty pants, my question is I live in Plum Grove Texas, I have 5 acres and NO TREES. What trees were on the property were either taken out by Ike, or the twisters that followed. I have boug... 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 |  | |
| Shade tolerant low shrub for Houston September 28, 2013 Please suggest a shade loving shrub that doesn't get more than 3' tall for a foundation planting along a front porch in Houston, TX. I prefer native, drought resistant if possible. No nursery person... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing trees for privacy in East Texas September 02, 2013 Fast growing tree seeds for my area to create a tree grove for privacy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Plants for a water collection pit in Bronson, FL August 22, 2013 I live near Gainesville, FL in a low rural area with many cypress swamps around & bought this 5 acres 2 years ago. About 15 years ago a pit was dug on my 5 acres to give the rainwater somewhere to go... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade trees not toxic to dogs in Kempner TX August 21, 2013 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, we are looking for shade trees to plant around our home in Kempner, Tx. I saw another family that asked a similar question but we have dogs and holly or oak trees are toxic (my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Large-scale container garden for New York City August 17, 2013 I am a community volunteer in NYC who is trying to help a non-profit set up two large container gardens (about 3 feet high by 4 feet long by 2 or so feet wide). The problem is that they want natives,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Arborvitae for house plant from Austin August 15, 2013 I am a Northerner transplanted to Austin, TX. While I love Austin it feels like many of the plants & trees I came to love up north won't grow here at all. Could I grow an arborvitae in my home as a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Trees for Cedar Creek, TX August 14, 2013 Hello I am wanting to plant some evergreen trees on my property out in Cedar Creek Texas. We have a lot of cedar trees but I really would like some live oaks. Is it possible to grow live oaks or somet... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| An evergreen, deer-resistant shrub for Memphis July 24, 2013 I need an evergreen, deep to partial shade, deer resistant shrub or tree. Does such a plant exist? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Suggestions for street trees for Texarkana TX July 23, 2013 Texarkana, TX, is going to replace a few and add some new street trees downtown. The engineers specified crape myrtle. When I asked if they would consider native trees instead, I was told they thought... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low-growing plants for a slope in the shade July 08, 2013 Hello, I'm looking for native plants to put in the shade (within the drip-line) of a well-established American Holly. The area gets deep shade; it is also on a very gentle north-exposure slope. We ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What grows in Tampa FL July 01, 2013 Please let me know what grows in the backyard in Tampa, FL to provide screening and privacy? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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