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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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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Identification of tart fruit that looks like a pumpkin December 10, 2016 As a child, in Miami, Florida, in the 1950's, another child challenged me to eat a "fruit" that looked like a pumpkin. It was just a little bigger than those candy pumpkins we see now at Halloween, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lindheimer's Muhly Grass Seeds for Human Use? July 07, 2016 Does anyone know if Lindheimer's Muhly seeds were ever used as human food source? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bird Attracting Shrub for NH July 03, 2016 I am trying to attract birds to my newly built home's front yard. I have no foliage out front near our picture window. I live in Londonderry, NH. What bush or shrub can I plant that will attract bird... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Information about mustang grapes March 14, 2016 We live in the Driftwood area. There is a native vine that looks like Mustang grape but never produces. A friend who is native to this area called it rat vine. I miss my Mustang grape jelly. Is t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing Chile Pequin Indoors December 09, 2015 About a year ago I visited your page and as a result I planted 8 seeds in spring 2015 from a large Chile Pequin plant that came up wild in my Cedar Park home near Austin. The last harvest was late su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pruning non-native peach in Austin, TX. June 18, 2015 I planted two five gallon Texas Star peach trees last February but didn't have the nerve to prune them back to knee height. After having been convinced that this is a good thing to do, I'd like to k... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Arctostaphylos Hanging Basket for Texas April 24, 2015 I would like to plant an Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in a hanging basket with a coco liner. Will this work, or will the roots grow too long? it's the 'Massachusetts' cultivar. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing Avocados in South Texas April 24, 2015 What types of avocados can be grown in South Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Rust on Blackberry April 17, 2015 I have two new blackberry bushes that I planted fall 2014. Only weeks after I planted the plant began to have rust color balls under the leaves then leaves began to die and fall off. When I returned t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Edible Plants of Florida April 06, 2015 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants My name is Gabriel Bedoya; Im anthropologist, with large experience in research of traditional culinary, symbolic systems and native kitchens. Due to my experience in those s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non Toxic Fruit Plants April 03, 2015 I am trying to plant on my backyard. My dog spends about 8 hours a day outdoors and I am afraid she will be poisoned. I am overwhelmed by the information of toxic trees\plants for dogs. However, I ju... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identity of wild plum in Childress County, Texas March 16, 2015 I have a Wild Plum follow up question. My wife grew up around the Childress TX area. She remembers going around the creeks and gathering Wild Plums for her mother as a child. Would you have any ide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is the fruit of Melothria pendula edible? November 22, 2014 Is the fruit of Melothria pendula edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are American Hazelnuts Self-Fertile? November 06, 2014 I planted an American Hazelnut a couple of years ago that I ordered from a catalog. Is this plant self-fertile or do I need to plant another one? I have seen conflicting information on this subject. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native Grasses as a Hay Crop in Beeville, TX October 22, 2014 I am looking to cut Hay on about 38 acres just west of Beeville, Texas. I want to convert the land to native grasses, but I still want to have a decent hay crop that I can sell. What is a good set of ... 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 | ||
Recipe for Sideroxylon lanuginosum (Gum bumelia) fruits August 17, 2014 Do you have a recipe for using the fruits of Sideroxylon Lanuginosa? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for farm animals from East Greenwich RI May 03, 2014 What type of perennial flowers and shrubs are safe to plant around farm animals (dogs, horses, chickens, turkeys) in New England climate? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blossom end rot on non-native tomatoes from Newport RI April 25, 2014 Can epsom salt or eggshells end blossom end rot on tomatoes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota March 07, 2014 I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Edible plants in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania March 02, 2014 Hi again! Thanks for answering my one question. I have another though. Do you know of any edible plants with no nasty side effects ( like stomach aches or being nauseous) that grow in Lycoming County ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Edibility of Washington Hawthorn berries from Williamsport PA February 22, 2014 Please tell me if Washington Hawthorn berries and leaves are edible and if so, how to prepare them. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wild Edible Books for Pennsylvania February 11, 2014 I was hoping I could get some suggestions of one or more good books on wild edibles that I can find in Southwest PA. Any help will be greatly appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fruiting times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Norhwest December 30, 2013 I am looking for information on fruiting/seeds/nuts times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest. Obviously they fruit after they bloom but all I can find is very general information such... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Looking for stinging nettle not exposed to pesticides or exhaust December 26, 2013 Hi, Thank you for providing this service! I'm interested in foraging and wild edibles in Austin and am wondering if anyone can tell me a spot where I could harvest some Stinging Nettle that is un... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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