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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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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| Propagating a white cultivar of Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora September 09, 2016 I am trying to propagate a white cultivar of the Texas Mountain Laurel. I plan to use bee sticks and pollinate the plant. Are the plants self fruiting or do I need to find another white mountain laure... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Southern Live Oak Authority for Jackson MS June 23, 2016 Who are the foremost authorities on Southern Live Oaks? May need expert testimony to oppose cutting of 50 year-old live oaks in boulevard of Riverside Drive in Jackson, MS View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Tannins in Persimmons the same in Fruit and Leaf? January 23, 2016 I was wanting to know if tannins in persimmons have the same properties in both the fruit and leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bignoniaceae Family Members Fix Nitrogen? January 23, 2016 Do plants in the Bignoniaceae family, such as Tecoma stans and Chilopsis linearis, fix nitrogen into the soil? I ask because they have a bean-type pod. Just curious. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How many seeds in a Balsam Gourd fruit? January 12, 2016 How many seeds should I expect to find inside the fruit of Ibervillea Londoners? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Poison ivy always rooted in the ground? November 11, 2015 Does Poison ivy on a tree always start at the ground and climb up the tree or can it start producing its vine and leaves by itself at the top of the tree or middle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is the difference between indigenous and native? November 03, 2015 What is the difference between indigenous and native? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Native Cultivars As Beneficial to Wildlife? September 02, 2015 I am working on adding more native plants to my small acreage. I would like to know if using a selection or cultivar of a native species is as likely to have wildlife benefits as using a randomly prop... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What does the name montana mean in a species name? August 21, 2015 What does the name montana mean in a species name? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of the word annual May 27, 2015 Why is the word 'annual' used to describe plants with one grow season, when in all other cases it's used to describe things that reoccur year after year? i.e. Events, celebration, salary? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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