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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Sequence of Seeding Wildflowers and Grasses in Texas July 24, 2016 In the How To article on meadow gardening, it recommends that a good chunk of your garden (50%-80%) should be native grasses. The kind mentioned in that article are typically warm season grasses. In... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeding Bluebonnets in Missouri July 07, 2016 I live in St. Louis, MO and obtained a packet of Bluebonnet seeds as well as a seedling. I read up on inoculating and scarifying the seeds, but I'm unsure as to the soil I should use. I was planning ... 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 | ||
Are Bluebonnet seeds still viable after storage for a year? March 02, 2016 I bought a pouch of Bluebonnets a year ago and now found them and have to wait to Fall to plant. Too old? Start over in purchase? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blackfoot Daisy care in Marble Falls TX February 21, 2016 I've planted and killed a number of blackfoot daisy plants. I know it's a hardy plant that, once established needs little or no care. But what about getting them started? What care do they need f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Finding a source of Straggler daisy October 14, 2015 I've decided on Straggler daisy but am having trouble finding it. It would be perfect for me. Do I have to wait until next Spring for it to show up? Can it be ordered through a nursery or a landscape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting October 04, 2015 I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sources for Eustoma exaltatum (Texas bluebells) October 01, 2015 Could you list sources for seeds for eustoma (texas bluebells)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seedball Germination in Dallas September 19, 2015 I read your answer to the question posed about wildflower seed balls not germinating along a bike trail in Dallas. My garden club is also wanting to purchase seeds to create and scatter seed balls. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers of April wedding in Liberty Hill TX September 02, 2015 We are planning a wedding for April 9 in Liberty Hill, TX (78642) and live on several acres. We would like to plant wildflowers on the land to use for bouquets and centerpieces. Could you please recom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers for April wedding near Austin TX August 31, 2015 Home wedding April 2016. Live North of Austin.on 200 acres ranch and would like to plant wildflowers. What to plant? When to plant? Flowers that will sustain in vase or bouquet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers for an Indiana septic drain field August 29, 2015 We just had to have a septic system replaced due to our state highway consuming some of our front yard along with our original septic. Since this has happened, our lateral lines now lie in our back ya... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing Green milkweed vine from seed July 29, 2015 I was given some seed for the pearl milkweed vine which I intend to plant, but I can find no information on whether to stratify or scarify them or just plant them. I know some milkweeds require strati... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Blackfoot daisy seed July 21, 2015 I have a three yr old Blackfoot daisy. How do you root Blackfoot daisy seeds? When is the best month to grow these seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to harvest native grass seeds? May 29, 2015 We are trying to restore native grasses to a small pasture between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. Last spring (2014), we seeded a mix of sideoats grama, little bluestem, dahl bluestem, and sprangleto... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why is fall the best time to plant Bluebonnet seeds? May 29, 2015 Bluebonnet plants drop their seeds in late May or early June. Why is it recommended to broadcast Bluebonnet seeds in October which is 5 months after the plant drops its seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seedball Germination in Dallas, TX May 27, 2015 Last Fall we created thousands of seedballs with Lady Bird's wildflower seed mixture, compost and clay, and planted them along a bike trail in Dallas, Texas. We are so disappointed because nothing h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Spring sowing of wildflower seeds in pots May 11, 2015 Is it possible to start wildflower seeds in pots in the spring and then transplant them to the yard? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower Seed Planting in Austin in April April 30, 2015 What wildflower seeds can I plant in April? Is there a schedule? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeds and seed pods of bluejacket (Tradescantia ohiensis or Hyacinthus orientalis March 26, 2015 I have lots of bluejacket flowers in my yard. I keep looking for the seed pods but can't find any seeds. Where are the seed pods located on the bluejacket flower? Thanks. Lew Dallas View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers for floodplain near Denton, TX March 22, 2015 Hello, I am a member of my HOA board and am researching the possibility of filling in our floodplains with wildflowers. Currently the floodplains are grass only and span a few acres. Our goal is to t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Inquiry about the Arizona Cypress trees in the Family Garden March 20, 2015 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently visited The Wildflower Center and enjoyed seeing several features that were new since my last visit two years ago. In the Family Garden areas I saw several beautifu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germination of seeds of Stephanomeria pauciflora (Brownplume wire lettuce) February 20, 2015 I have discovered a very fast growing Stephanomeria pauciflora on property where I work here in Terlingua, TX. At first glance it appears as an invasive weed but on closer inspection with my macro le... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germinating Milkweed Seeds January 23, 2015 When is the best time to plant milkweed seeds outside? I was told when the overnight temperature hits 70 F. (our garden is in Lakeway, Texas). So around late May? Is this when the seeds germinate i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Annual Native Plants for Interplanting in Iowa January 20, 2015 I'm looking for suggestions for annuals that will flower from seed or from spring plants. I want to use them to fill in the space around newly planted coneflowers and asters that I fear will look spa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What to do about early seedlings January 16, 2015 Hello, Over the last few weeks I have noticed that all my naturally occurring poppies and delphiniums have started to sprout up around my yard. Hundreds of them! I imagine it's because of the ear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? December 01, 2014 What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? Do you have a picture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting a meadow garden in Pennsylvania November 16, 2014 I live in Saxonburg PA near Pittsburgh PA. I want to put a meadow garden in my back yard. We are building a home so there is no established yard yet just trees and weeds. Where do I start . What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Starting Melochia Pyramidata from Seed November 06, 2014 Last year some Melochia pyramidata popped up in my yard all on its own. I was able to gather some (really neat looking) seed pods once they had dried out. I'm moving pretty soon and I'd like to grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need plants for a ecoregion prairie project in Cleburne, TX October 30, 2014 I have a ecoregion prairie project in which students are to plant from pots a small area so visitors might see what the seeded area will become. We are struggling to find potted plants. HELP View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fall Wildflowers for Helotes, TX October 20, 2014 Dear Smarty, Could you please suggest a few colorful wildflowers for a sunny area. I live north of San Antonio, TX and would like to plant some flowers in October but I want something that has been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to germinate seed for Styrax grandifolius October 18, 2014 How do I germinate seed for the Styrax grandifolius? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Storing Rudbeckia Hirta Seed October 10, 2014 I just bought and planted your Rudbeckia hirta seed. I have a lot leftover. Can I store it until spring or better yet, next fall? If so, how? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Silphium Perfoliatum Seeds October 06, 2014 I am trying to identify which part of the seedhead is the actual seed of the cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum. It is hard to find images. Some show the outer, larger, flat part of the seedhead which ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When is best time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade in San Antonio, TX? September 20, 2014 I need to know the time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade. Can I plant them now ( August ), or wait till fall or spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to Collect Rudbeckia triloba Seed? September 13, 2014 How soon after flowering may I cut Rudbeckia triloba flower heads to save seeds? Do cones need to be attached to the plant in or out of the ground to continue to mature? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowering ofPluchea odorata in Houston, TX August 13, 2014 I sprouted Pluchea odorata seeds this spring, but the plants seem too small to bloom this year. Although your website characterizes this plant as an annual, do you think it will survive the Houston wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When does Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) go to seed in southern US? August 06, 2014 When does Bouteloua dactyloides go to seed in the southern United States, mainly Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Looking for seeds for Carex texensis and Horse Herb July 27, 2014 I am looking for either plants or seeds of Carex texensis and horseherb with no success. I live in the Albuquerque,NM mountain region (at ~6800ft, zone 6). I need something that is very dought resis... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native grasses for organic farm in Elgin TX July 22, 2014 Hi there, I am working to restore native grasses on our certified organic farm in Elgin, TX. We raise eggs, grass fed beef, and grass fed lamb. I am having a terrible time finding organic pastur... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Preparation of seeds of Cosmos parviflorus for planting July 21, 2014 This is in regards to Cosmos Parviflorus. I reside directly outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. Cosmos Parviflorus grows naturally here and I have collected some seeds from a couple of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing a Swamp Oak from Seed July 02, 2014 I have a swamp oak that I started from an acorn. Someone at a nursery stated that after 4 years I should cut it off at ground level and then allow one of the suckers to grow while keep removing the ot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How does Habiturf spread from Walburg TX May 19, 2014 How does HabitTurf spread? - by seed only? - when/how often must you let it go to seed to insure a permanent stand? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Viability of Lupinus havardii seeds from Elmendorf TX April 25, 2014 I have been able to grow several Lupinus havardii (Big Bend Bluebonnet) and they are now making seed. Is there anyway to determine if a seed is good or bad for this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mail order source for Guaiacum angustifolium from Ft. Worth TX April 16, 2014 Do you have a mail order source for the seeds of Guaiacum angustifolium? I have looked extensively and cannot find one. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting wildflowers on company property from Aquasco MD April 04, 2014 Our company wants to plant wildflowers on our property. How do I know how much seed, what type of seeds, how to care for, how to plant, basically everything? Finally, we hope to find use some deer-r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will native Galium aparine be a problem in Austin garden? March 25, 2014 Should I be concerned that my yard is overrun with "sticky weed" (Galium aparine) in the early spring? Specifically, about five years ago I undertook converting about half my back yard into a na... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Help with Habiturf from Bertram TX March 24, 2014 I am a resident of Bertram..about 45 min northwest of Austin. I have 1.33 acres of land with my home on it. My front pasture is pretty nice native grass but my backyard is full of weeds. I'm guessing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Use of hand-held seed spreader from Robstown TX March 20, 2014 I am planting native turf grass and prairie grasses as part of a backyard restoration on my 1.6 acre home site. My problem is good seed dispersal for the chaffey grass seeds. Have you have any luck... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeds to scatter from Austin March 20, 2014 Which seeds are good to throw and scatter on lawns or garden beds? Seeds that germinate easily, I suppose? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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