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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| Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL August 17, 2012 I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-inv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Lemon Cypress toxic? August 15, 2012 Is the Lemon Cypress toxic? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID June 02, 2012 Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best wildflowers for Lamar County TX February 02, 2012 What are the best wildflowers for northeast Tx? We live right below the Red River just north of Paris. Can they only be planted by seed in the fall? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants in Denton Co. TX pollinated by bats or hummingbirds December 07, 2011 I am looking for a list of Denton Co. TX native plants that are pollinated by bats? Do we have any? How about hummingbirds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yellowing foliage on a lemon cypress from St. Charles MO May 22, 2011 I recently received a lemon cypress tree as a gift. After about a month we transplanted it outside and the foliage turned from a light green to a yellow color. Is this normal? The tree doesn't app... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of lemon cypress from Winter Springs FL April 14, 2011 Please send me information on care of lemon cypress plant. I have one in small container on my patio. Should I take it in the house? Send any helpful information on its care. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are my lemon Cyprees trees turning Black? April 01, 2010 I have 3 lemon Cypress plants - all are about 6 feet tall. One of them has started turning black on one side - like it's been burnt. The inside of the plant is also turning black. I assume something ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wintering a Lemon Cypress tree in Eagan MN September 29, 2009 I Have a 2 1/2' Lemon Cypress Tree. I'm wondering if I can leave it outdoors for the winter, if not, how would I winter over indoors? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lemon cypress Goldcrest in Richland MI September 15, 2009 Can the shrub lemon cypress survive a southern Michigan winter? If so, how does one care for it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower gardening for Henderson Co. TX August 10, 2009 We purchased some of the Lady Bird's Legacy Wild Flower Mix and the Hummers and Singers to plant on Ranch in East Texas, Henderson County, that has Sandy Loam Soil. We would like to plant the seeds i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen ornamental tree choice in northern Indiana June 10, 2009 Can you please advise on growing Lemon Cypress trees outdoors in zones 5/6 zip code 46311 View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower meadow in Mobile, AL January 31, 2009 I live in Mobile, Alabama. I have 1 acre of land that is partially shaded and covered with centipede yard grass. I would like to completely get rid of all the grass and replace the whole acre with wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for indoor Lemon Cypress November 30, 2008 How do I care for an indoor Lemon Cypress tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Repotting of lemon cypress for drainage October 26, 2008 Hi, I bought a lemon cypress tree in a nice tin, It is in Plastic and the bottom has about 1.5" of water with no drainage in the plastic or tin. It will be kept inside. Does the plant need to be in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Viability of Cupressus macrocarpa in Arvada, Colorado October 06, 2008 Can I plant lemon cypress in Arvada CO, zone 5, as landscaping plant? Can't find zone information. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Decline of indoor lemon cypress June 25, 2008 I received a lemon cypress as a gift. I have kept it indoors in bright light and tried to keep it moist. When I received the plant the foliage was soft and now it has become brittle and dry even tho... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for south-facing yard in Paris, TX June 09, 2008 We are moving to Paris, Tx. Our front yard faces south with 2 large sycamores shading it. Grass has a hard time growing here. I'd like to plant groundcover. Think it's sandy loam. Do you have a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) June 09, 2008 How do I care for a Lemon Cypress tree? Does it require a lot of sun? How often should I water it? It is 18" high and I have it in a pot on my screen porch. Thank-you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Placement of lemon cypress tree in Miami, FL May 25, 2008 Where is the best place to have a lemon cypress tree? indoors or out? Presently in south Miami climate, Scott's potting soil, clay pot, with good drainage. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Butterfly plants for Austin May 21, 2008 Hummingbirds come to our Mexican honeysuckle early in the spring, and then come late in the summer when the Turk's caps bloom. We have rocky soil, and a fairly shady garden. What could we plant that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) May 17, 2008 How do I grow the lemon cypress in zone 7? I bought one today at Home Depot in Granbury,TX. It had no information. Should I put it in the shade or sun? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native nectar plants for hummingbirds in Central Texas April 24, 2008 Ref: Cen.Tx. Hummingbird plants I am seeking a list of appropriate plants with lots of nectar to attract hummingbirds in Central Texas. I live in Hays County between Kyle & Wimberley in a mostly ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) December 16, 2007 Lately, I've been seeing references to a tree/shrub called a "lemon cypress tree". It looks like a standard Italian cypress, but the foilage is yellow. I cannot find any reference to this plant e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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