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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| topic | question | |
| Groundcover for Maryland Slope in Deer Country July 03, 2016 I have a 20-30% grade hill in Maryland. I am looking for a groundcover plant (for example ivy) that I can plant on the hill. I have the following issues: clay soil, deer, full sun, limited water sourc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistance Input from Northern VA June 22, 2016 Hello. I live in the deer infested woods of Northern VA. I am always looking for plants that deer have little interest in to cover other plants. The deer generally have little interest in mints (Py... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer eating Non-native Asiatic Jasmine in Georgetown, TX October 22, 2015 Is there a spray or granular material that will prevent deer from eating asiatic jasmine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Connecticut Plants for a Steep Slope September 09, 2015 I am looking for the best plants to retain a steep, dry, fully shaded slope in zone 5, Connecticut. It must be deer resistant. Plant height is not a factor. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of ball-shaped purple flower in Connecticut July 13, 2015 I am trying to identify a ball shaped purple/light purple flower with opposite leaves that look fern like. It has been in bloom since late May or early June. I have found it growing with what appear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Evolvulus nuttallianus native to Central Texas and Deer Resistant? June 11, 2015 The website doesn't have much information about blue daze (Evolvulus nuttallianus. Is this plant native to Central Texas? Is it deer-resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Roses and Fruit Trees in NC April 20, 2015 Hello, I am planning a house on Lake Gaston in North Carolina (to be built) and will need to establish a new garden on the cleared lot. I would like to focus on native plants, but I love a cutting ga... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Critter-Proof Native Plants for Virginia Lawn April 02, 2015 We live in a gated community that was part of the Wilderness Battlefield during the Civil War. Our home is on a narrow lot, fully treed except for a postage stamp-sized lawn at lake side. We have de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Verbena Annuals Deer Resistant? March 25, 2015 Are Verbena Estrella Pink Star annuals deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Resistant Evergreens for Pennsylvania Woods March 12, 2015 We are looking for evergreens that will grow in a partially shaded/wooded area and are ideally deer resistant. Hemlocks are out because of a parasite infestation in our area of Pennsylvania. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need ground cover plants to grow in the shade a large oak in San Antonio, TX March 09, 2015 We have a large backyard in San Antonio covered with live oak and red oak. Since grass does not do well in this shade / bright shade area I would like to plant a low growing ground cover and then add... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Jasminum polyanthum Deer Resistant and Native? March 07, 2015 Are Jasminum polyanthum deer resistant? They are selling these plants at Trader Joe's right now so I'm assuming it's native to our area. But the instructions don't say anything about deer. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy Fence to Exclude Deer February 13, 2015 This is not a plant question but I hope you will answer it. I have a huge backyard and a low picket fence. Over the years the deer have fallen in love with this area and have eaten much of my native... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant trees for privacy in Texas January 09, 2015 I need to find a deer resistant tall shrub or tree to plant and hide the deer fence my neighbor just put up on our property line. My property has full sun in parts and mostly shady in other parts and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Plants for Newton Square, PA August 25, 2014 I'm looking for highly deer resistant plants native to PA. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will deer eat bellflowers? August 10, 2014 Are deer attracted to the bellflower? Will they eat it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How are NPIN Deer Resistance Ratings Determined? May 06, 2014 If your plant data-base (which is the best thing since sliced bread!) is silent on the degree to which a plant is deer-resistant, does this mean you just don't have enough information to make the cal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennial ground cover for hillside in Holmdel NJ April 25, 2014 I live in NJ. I would like to use a perennial ground cover for my landscaping bed on a hill with full sun and deer resistant. It's a good size landscaping bed that is facing east (southeast). What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistance of non-native Leyland Cypress from Kerrville TX April 19, 2014 Are Leyland cypress deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrub for Chesterfield VA April 02, 2014 Need a native shrub for the north side of our house that is deer resistant, not overly sensitive to wind, and can tolerate clay soil. Preferably 3-8 feet. Thanks for your help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cenizo for border of school garden from Cedar Park TX January 27, 2014 Hi. We're starting a school garden in Central Texas, and instead of building a fence along one side, we'd like to plant a hedge. Ideally, it would grow tall enough to deter deer from jumping over, b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistance and Erosion Control for St. Louis County MO January 03, 2014 I am looking for deer and rabbit resistant native plants for erosion control on a steep ravine slope with part sun and part shade in St. Louis County MO. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are there plants that are resistant to axis deer? November 07, 2013 Greetings! I live about 10 miles south of Kerrville, Texas, toward Medina. I wish to begin planting more natives on a plot we have recently purchased. Some plants will go inside a fence that deer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do white-tailed deer consume King Ranch bluestem? October 25, 2013 Will white-tail deer in central Texas consume King Ranch bluestem ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant, Shaded Privacy Hedge for Wakefield RI September 12, 2013 We recently removed the dead undergrowth of white pines that were used for privacy. We need advice as to what type of evergreen would be suitable for growth beneath the branches above. It is VERY shad... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| An evergreen, deer-resistant shrub for Memphis July 24, 2013 I need an evergreen, deep to partial shade, deer resistant shrub or tree. Does such a plant exist? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Vine for California July 24, 2013 What can I plant to cover a retaining wall in Redwood City, CA that will grow down on it (no dirt below) that deer will not eat? I have just about given up. I have tried jasmine and Gelsemium and regu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Using Sound to Repel Deer July 15, 2013 We have several motion activated water scarecrows for deer intrusions and have heard about sound scarecrows. Do you know if they are effective and do they bother pets such as cats, birds, etc.? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Climbing vines that are deer resistant July 12, 2013 Please find plants that are climbing vines and are deer resistant View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Leaves of Chile pequin consumed overnight from San Marcus TX June 23, 2013 Something ate all the leaves of my Chile petin overnight. There is a ton of frass under the plants but no sign of a critter to be found. These plants have been in the same area for years and this is t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lily plants being chewed from Austin June 20, 2013 Something is chewing my lily plants to the ground. Any ideas what and do I stop them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Evergreen Hedge Suggestions for CT April 30, 2013 I think I am asking for a lot, but here we go… Is there a deer tolerant evergreen that can grow in the shade and create a hedge of 5 feet tall here in CT? I am not opposed to ivy covering a fence if t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant native plants for Eagle Scout project in Urbandale IA April 27, 2013 Mr. Smarty Plants, My son is planning his Eagle Scout Project doing some landscaping for the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. The facility has asked him to use only plants native to Iowa. Can you su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shady Perennial Groundcover Suggestions for Indiana April 21, 2013 Could you please recommend perennial groundcovers for Indiana that are low and leafy, self-spreading, non-invasive, deer resistant, and moisture tolerant; and that are good for erosion control on a sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant, Fast Growing Groundcover Suggestions for Georgia April 20, 2013 Our driveway is 1/4 mile in length and is steep on both sides (one side up one side down). It currently has grass that our contractor planted using seed when we built our house. We are unable to cut t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants that animals won't eat from Ione WA April 19, 2013 In Ione Washington and need to know what types of plants and flowers I can plant that animals in that area wont eat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer Resistant and Drought Tolerant Pink-Flowering Shrub for Austin, TX April 15, 2013 Is there a pink-flowering bush that is deer resistant and drought tolerant that would do well in Austin, TX? If not pink flowering, any color of a flowering bush is fine. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant for deep shade in Pennsylvania April 09, 2013 Hi! I am landscaping our house and trying to use only plants that provide seasonal benefit to bees, butterflies, birds etc. not the deer though. My question is that I have a fairly steep slope of abou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native crape myrtle resistance to deer from Annapolis MD April 06, 2013 Is Crape Myrtle tree resistant to deers? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH April 03, 2013 What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants resistant to white-tailed deer from Austin April 01, 2013 Could you tell me whether American Beautyberry and Blackfoot Daisy are usually eaten by our Austin white-tailed deer, or not? I get different answers in different publications. It would be great to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant, shade tolerant foundation plants for Kerrville TX March 30, 2013 I'm looking for foundation plants for shade that are deer resistant. Tall as well as medium height. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant, shade tolerant trees for part shade in Highland MD March 29, 2013 Deer resistant privacy trees for partial shady area in Highland, MD. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen, deer resistant privacy screen for Villanova PA March 29, 2013 Looking for something that is deer resistant and ideally evergreen to block a shed and fence that my neighbor recently installed. Live in Eastern PA. Not the best drainage and also shade for most of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants for Trinity, TX March 23, 2013 I need a list of deer resistant flowers, herbs and plants that would could be planted in Trinity, Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Pond Plants March 14, 2013 I am looking for deer resistant aquatic plants to use around a natural swimming pond in San Marcos, TX. The plants will be used to filter the water in a separate section of the pond. There will be a p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Do Deer Eat Orchid Trees? March 08, 2013 I have planted three anacacho orchid trees, however we have a lot of deer around us. Is this a tree they will want to eat? Do you have any ideas to keep deer away? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Barrier Planting in Boston January 29, 2013 I live in the Boston area and a school is being built right behind my property. The school kindly left me a 100' barrier that includes some 40' high pines, a couple of tall oaks and some spindly po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas natives that attract butterflies but not deer December 13, 2012 I'd like to have some plants in my garden that are butterfly attractors, but that whitetail deer won't like. I can find lists of butterfly plants, and lists of deer-resistant plants -- is there a li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcovers for hillside in Northern California November 19, 2012 I have read numerous posts on here, but I have not found my exact situation. I live in Northern California. I am looking for some type of ground cover to grow on a hillside. Directly above the hillsid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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