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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How to eliminate roadside thistles May 26, 2015 When we drive along the highway we see lots of wildflowers and no thistles in the median. How does the Highway Department keep the thistles out? Here in Kerrville, we are overwhelmed by thistles thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Life span of pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica May 12, 2015 Do you have any data on the lifespan of pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) under urban conditions where is Not subject to seral succession (trees won't be permitted to overtake it)? On the other hand ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Highway construction in wildflower areas from Kingsland TX April 22, 2014 I see no other link to contact about this, except for you. Maybe you can direct me. I just drove Hwy 281 South and a lot of road construction is being done. For many years that I've noticed, there ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Suggestions for street trees for Texarkana TX July 23, 2013 Texarkana, TX, is going to replace a few and add some new street trees downtown. The engineers specified crape myrtle. When I asked if they would consider native trees instead, I was told they thought... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Do any laws prohibit killing roadside wildflowers? April 09, 2013 Is there any law or regulation at the state level that prohibits, or at least discourages, mowing or spraying herbicide on the highway roadsides before the wildflowers have set seeds or did we lose th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Can a fallen tree in Texas have pieces of it removed from Winona TX October 20, 2012 I was wondering if you could tell me if a tree has fallen down, is it legal for me to go and cut pieces off of it in the state of Texas. And if you happen not to know could you tell me who I would con... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Moving plants for extreme drought from Greencastle IN August 23, 2012 In exceptional drought here in Indiana, I am looking at weeds that may become my next perennials! How do I move what my dad called ragged robins from the edges of roads. They are blue and could be wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of blue wildflower on roadsides in Massachusetts July 28, 2012 What is the blue wildflower planted on roadsides and highways in Massachusetts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers being mowed in Canyon TX June 03, 2012 Can I receive a letter from someone there to put up in our neighborhood? I live in an area very close to Palo Duro Canyon. A developer out here mows down the wildflowers along the one lane road. It ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD May 28, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pictures of Bastard Cabbage from Dallas TX April 07, 2012 HI! Re your March 12 posting: The USDA Plants website pictures two very different looking plants identified as Rapistrum rugosum (bastardcabbage). Would you please post a photo with leaf and bloom ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plantings of Castilleja in Texas April 04, 2012 I am a graduate student interested in studying different species of paintbrush (Castilleja) in Texas. I understand that the Texas Dept of Transportation has been seeding wildflowers along Texas highwa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mowing wildflower concerns from Lockhart TX March 30, 2012 I went to the Texas Highway Department (Texas Department of Transportation) web site and sent them a concern or complaint about them or independent contractors shredding the roadsides before the blueb... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for roadside in Gallatin TN February 19, 2012 What native plant would you suggest that we try to establish on 100 feet of road frontage which gets full afternoon sun? The soil is mostly clay, and it's on a rather sleep hill about 10 feet high. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Rescue of roadside plants in Ashe Co. October 27, 2011 I live in a wooded area off of a dirt road that is going to be widened and paved by the state. There are many native plants and shrubs growing on the side of the road in areas that will soon be pavem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL August 16, 2011 I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting wildflowers on roadsides in Dallas July 23, 2011 Am interested in leading Y Princess group in community effort to plant wildflowers along roads in Dallas area. Do you have any advice on how to approach the problem or sources for the seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter snow and road salt in Michigan June 27, 2010 I have been asked to select plants for an area in zone5/6 that suffers from snow load and street salt during winters. The area is about 15x18 and has a deciduous tree in the center. Grass, which did ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower programs on our highways November 17, 2008 Do you have any statistics about the wildflower program on our highways? We are wanting information about economic savings by not mowing so much, or pollution reduction by not mowing. Any help would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of Monarda citriodora on roadsides June 19, 2007 What is the name of the lavender wildflower so prevalent right now throughout the Texas hill country? It's an upright stalk that has lighter and darker lavender petals with rows of green leaves sepa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting bluebonnets along highway April 28, 2007 We are in the process of fencing our land located on a main highway. We are supposed to fence 80ft. from the center of the highway. That is a lot of land just sitting there. I wanted to know since we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Roadside plants as absorbers of carbon dioxide February 13, 2007 If plants absorb carbon dioxide why aren't they on a list of things to do to combat Global Warming? If we had more plants on the sides of our roads and highways would it help? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Prairie Paintbrush and Managing Roadsides April 26, 2005 I have been visiting a piece of land beside I-35 for quite a few years now. It is home to tons of different plants, but it really has a fantastic show of Prairie Paintbrush - the multicolored ones, n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Information on wildflower programs in cities and states April 06, 2005 I am moving to a new town in a few weeks and am interested in starting a program to beautify the community using wildflowers. I've been interested in this for quite some time, but the opportunity ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-invasive alternatives to winter rye August 20, 2004 Re-vegetation requirements include winter rye, which is considered by some to be invasive to native wildflowers planted along the roadway. Is winter rye considered invasive to native wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Managing Roadsides March 20, 2004 I’d like to plant some wildflowers as part of a community or roadside project. Will you provide the seeds or grant money? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Managing Roadsides March 20, 2004 I’d like to plant some wildflowers along the roadside. What do I need to do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Starting program for growing wildflowers on highways in Dallas March 04, 2003 How can I start a planting program to grow wildflowers along the interstate and highways where I live? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Jurisdiction regarding roadsides January 31, 2003 Who has jurisdiction regarding the seeding of wildflowers along Texas interstates? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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