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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| 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 |  | |
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