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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Rejuvenating old Lindheimer muhly clumps October 02, 2015 I've got two clumps of Lindheimer's muhly in full sun in the western (limestone) part of Austin. I'm thinking they've been there for the past 8 or so years. In the past two or three years, the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to prune a Lantana tree October 02, 2015 I have a potted Lantana tree that will come indoors for the winter. It is quite large and should I prune it back for the winter? If yes, how do I prune it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Oak Sucker Reprise May 02, 2015 ----Original Question---- SUNDAY - JULY 06, 2014 Title: Live Oak Suckers Reprise, Austin TX QUESTION: Referring to an entry dated March 11, 2011 about Live Oak suckers - what happened to the su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Live Oak Mess in Liberty, TX April 09, 2015 Should I leave the pollination debris that has fallen from my 3 historic live oaks on the ground surface beneath them or use a leaf blower to remove. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need to control Turk's cap in front yard in Austin, TX February 28, 2015 I have several turks cap in my front yard- they grow well, but they grown huge-high and spread out. My neighbors' are much more compact! how can I keep them in control? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Using Dormant Oils in the Winter January 20, 2015 What are your thoughts on the use of dormant oils as part of a winter maintenance program? I live in Austin, Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis November 04, 2014 I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Late planting plum tree from Lago Vista, TX May 01, 2014 I have two plum trees in plastic containers that I purchased in March. For a lot of reasons, we didn't get them planted. I have kept them alive by watering consistently, but I am now wondering what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Protection for plants against a Spring freeze from Easley SC April 15, 2014 Is there anything we can do to protect our beautiful spring gardens from the freeze tonight? (April 15, 2014) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Spring care for Garrya ovata from Pflugerville, TX February 24, 2014 Hello again, Mr. S-P, I planted a Mexican silktassel in April 2012 (purchased at the WFC). It has done well, but the leaves are bronzed and splotchy from this winter's freezes. All the stems are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Latest time to mow bluebonnets from Chappell Hill TX February 13, 2014 The past few years, my bluebonnets have been overwhelmed by tall grass. I could have solved this by mowing later, but I was always afraid of mowing new bluebonnet plants. When is the latest time I can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cutting back plants after frost from Seguin TX February 13, 2014 When is best time to cut back native plants after frost kill? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bluebonnet Planting in January in Lockhart January 23, 2014 My husband has yet again failed for the second year straight to put out the bluebonnet seeds in our backyard back in October. Is it too late now that it's mid January for me to get them in the groun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When should salvia greggii be pruned from Austin December 12, 2013 Should salvia greggii be pruned in fall/winter? I thought I read onsite that all woody perennials should be left untouched or pruned to 6 inches. Does this apply to salvia greggii? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will watering before a freeze protect an esperanza from a freeze from San Angelo, TX November 22, 2013 Would it help to lightly water esperanza before I cover it prior to freeze and/or sleet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cutting Back Perennials in the Fall? November 13, 2013 We have large beds of flowering native perennials that we planted around our house as part of a landscape conservation plan (various Joe-Pyes, goldenrods, turtlehead, blazing star, brown-eyed Susans).... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recreating a wildflower meadow, central Texas July 02, 2013 We have an acre on our property that has bluebonnets. Unfortunately, it also has other plants that we don't want -Johnson grass, nettles, burrs. We plan to do a controlled burn in the fall and re-... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Schedule for planting perennial wildflowers from Asheville NC March 22, 2013 When is the best time to plant perennial wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
High mowing equipment for Llano TX November 03, 2012 We're trying to follow your wildflower meadow recommendation "if your meadow has tall, warm-season native grasses, wait until late summer or early fall to mow, allowing them to elongate, flower, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sycamore leaf snowbell from Pleasanton TX August 18, 2012 How do you care for a sycamore leaf snowbell. Does it like sun or part shade? How much water? How often and what should it be fed. How fast or slowly does it grow? Anything you can tell me would be ap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mowing frequency of native lawn from Georgetown TX August 18, 2012 I have a native grass and wildflower lawn. At what frequency and when should the lawn be mowed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Using a brush hog on acreage on Bear Creek in Austin, TX. July 25, 2012 We have 8 acres off 1826 situated on Bear Creek. It has open areas with scattered large trees (cedar elm, live oak, white oak). Cedars or junipers only along the the lot lines. We've been told we... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flower sucession for Washington DC June 18, 2012 Interplanting to cover up spring ephemerals. When bulbs/spring ephemerals (camassia, bluebells, etc.) are dying back, their wilting leaves don't look so great. What can I plant to minimize the me... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting Trees in OH May 10, 2012 Is the middle of May too late to dig out Arborviteas and spruces to transplant? I live in central Ohio. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowers for days on end in California March 30, 2012 What are some plants or flowers that I can grow "all-year" in California? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Vinegar as a Herbicide March 08, 2012 When can you use vinegar on weeds to get rid of them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seasonal tasks for Big Red Sage and Tall Aster in Marble Falls TX January 09, 2012 I transplanted some Big Red Sage and Tall Aster into my raised bed garden in early summer this year. They've sent up lots of rosettes. Do I need to protect them from freezing in winter? Do I need to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planning garden tasks in advance from Austin January 03, 2012 My yard was a disaster last year-grass and trees browning, early leaf fall on flowering plants, and water bills sky high, even with the limited watering days. What can I do this year to prevent this s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Burning back Gulf Muhly instead of trimming from San Antonio December 19, 2011 A few years ago I noticed that the Center burned back its Gulf Muhly rather than cutting it back. Did that study result in any conclusions or recommendations? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Overwintering Texas bluebonnets November 17, 2011 I planted Texas Bluebonnet and I want to know how to save them through the winter months. I think they are so beautiful. Can I cover them with something? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly) October 27, 2011 Is it too late to plant Gulf Muhly seed in North Texas (October)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Time for seeding wildflower seeds in Castle Rock CO October 03, 2011 I live in Castle Rock, CO. When is the best time to plant wildflower seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildseed Planting in a drought September 14, 2011 Due to the extreme drought and no rain in the near future in central Texas would it be prudent to have a wildseed planting in October? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought affecting native trees from The Woodlands August 18, 2011 I've been trying to grow native trees in my yard for the past 3 years and I'm starting to question whether the amount of time required to spend watering them during the long hot season in Texas is r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shade trees for Spring TX August 17, 2011 Dear Mr.Pants, our west-facing backyard in Spring, Tx, is unbearable in this Summer's heat. Neither us nor the neighbors has any backyard trees established yet, as the subdivision is pretty new. C... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Leaves on 3 year old maple turning brown in Lebo, KS. July 16, 2011 Hello, one of our five Maple trees which is is 3 yrs. old now, we saw a week ago that the leaves started turning brown and dropping. My question is: Will the tree survive this and return healthy next ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Preventing weeds in kinnikinnick in Richland WA May 29, 2011 We planted our kinnickinick last Nov. and we live in Richland, WA, where it gets hot in the summer. We planted almost 500 of them on a hillside. Weeding is taking over our lives, to say the least. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for Summer Planting in Vernal UT May 24, 2011 What are the native plants that I could plant this summer in Vernal, Utah View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Carolina Jasmine failing to turn green in Pleasant Garden NC April 26, 2011 We planted Carolina Jasmine last year and it did great. This Spring we only have about 2-3 small green leaves beginning on the vines. We did not cut them back in the Fall. Is it time for them to be tu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Late blooming Esperanza in St. Augustine FL April 21, 2011 I bought an Esperanza at a plant expo- I was told it was a Florida native Allamanda. It took me two years to figure out what I had. Mine grows 8 ft. tall and is huge! But it doesn't bloom until alm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cutting back perennials from Austin February 08, 2011 When is it time to cut back native plants; salvia;copper canyon daisy; verbena, etc? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Should grape vines be covered in winter from San Antonio February 07, 2011 Do I need to cover grape vines in winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Time to cut back Turk's Cap in Austin January 27, 2011 I did not find my question answered in the database. My question is: When is the best time to cut back Red Turks Cap? I live in Central Austin. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Raising bluebonnets in Stanford CA January 17, 2011 I'm a Houston girl now living in Northern California (Stanford). I would like to know if I need to adjust my growing timing for lupinus texensis? Mostly, I want to know when I should actually put th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pruning cherry laurel in January in Austin January 07, 2011 Do trust I checked Q&A first. Can Cherry Laurel shrubs be pruned earlier than late winter in Austin? I foolishly planted 12 native Cherry Laurel standards on our suburban property line 5 years ago. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter wrappings for plants in Ellenton Florida December 23, 2010 Hi and thank you for your time, I do appreciate it. I have one question. I live in Florida and yes we do get frost and temps down to 28 degrees in the winter. last year I lost almost 50 plants tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cutting Juncus effusus back from Bellevue WA November 18, 2010 I read your posts about Juncus effusus and just have one follow-up question. When is the best time to cut them back to the ground - before winter or early spring? I live in the Pacific NW. I recent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to plant in Austin November 02, 2010 I own a small landscaping business in the Austin area, and we are admittedly learning every day, but trying to do the right thing. We are knowledgeable about the sun, water, soil requirements for a v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How do I prepare blackfoot daisies for winter in Austin, TX October 19, 2010 I have blackfoot daisies in my garden that have bloomed all summer. They are cascading out of the bed onto my lawn/grass. They have been so beautiful that I hate to cut them back. How do I prepare t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter pruning for yucca in Adrian, Michigan October 11, 2010 Can I cut yucca plants down for winter months. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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