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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topic	question
Plant Lists User Comments Deer Resistant	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
Plant Lists Seed and Plant Sources User Comments	Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia. October 12, 2015 Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Compost and Mulch Soils	Oyster Shell source in Austin September 18, 2015 Hi, I was not sure who to reach out to, but I work for Quality Seafood here in Austin, and we have several gardeners who take our old oyster shells and grind them up or put them in their gardens for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Kudos for Barbara Medford's answer November 05, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants (say, should it not be Ms!), No question, just a correction. Please correct my rating from 3 to 5 stars for Barbara Medford's response regarding impatiens, dated Dec. 8, 2007... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments	Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) July 02, 2014 Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is not a native U.S. plant. It was introduced to the U.S. from Europe and is now considered invasive in many parts of the western U.S. It invades our forested wild land... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	User's comment on nativity of Beggar's Lice from Austin May 20, 2014 I think you were off the mark telling somebody that "beggar's lice" is a Texas native. According to Wikipedia, Torilis arvensis is an invasive species native to Eurasia. Cheers! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Question about commercial product from Austin May 19, 2014 Do you carry AquaSmart Pro? There was an article in today\\\'s Statesman about some Sun City people using AquaSmart Pro to save water on their lawns. I am always skeptical about such panaceas. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Trees	Retention of essential oils by Ashe Juniper wood from Austin May 03, 2014 I am looking for information on why local Austin Juniper/Cedar trees are so great at retaining essential oils for aromatherapy. I make pendants for necklaces out of our local fallen cedar trees and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Herbs/Forbs	Synchronized blooming of cutleaf evening primrose from Brookshire TX April 29, 2014 I have cutleaf evening primrose (grandis) that puts on such an enchanting show, opening every evening in late April, precisely at 8:00 , that guests sit in chairs to watch the spectacle. Incredibly, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Managing Roadsides User Comments Wildflowers	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
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments Grasses or Grass-like	Comments on previous answer on non-native invasives from Raleigh NC March 27, 2014 https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7827 This answer is incorrect. Please have someone review it to remove the two invasive species you are encouraging people to plant by calling them nati... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Grasses or Grass-like	User comment on native grass mixes from Robstown TX March 21, 2014 As a followup to my question on seed spreaders, native grass and prairie seed mixes seem a good fit for my location in far western Nueces County which is more semi-arrid than 30 miles away in Corpus w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Response to previous answer from Ft. Worth TX November 07, 2013 What email can I respond to Barbara Medford QUESTION: View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives User Comments Cacti and Succulents Herbs/Forbs Trees	Correction of tree name from Bay Point CA October 16, 2013 The tree should of been Mulberry don't know how it was changed!! Tuesday - October 15, 2013 From: Bay Point, CA Region: California Topic: Non-Natives, Cacti and Succulents, Trees Title: Non-... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives User Comments Grasses or Grass-like	Comment on previous answer from Austin October 15, 2013 Ms Bradford, You just answered my question about St. Augustine grass.. actually, you didn't answer it.. You said "sorry, wrong number". Very funny. I think you misunderstood... I would rather no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Responsibility for tree limb removal from Kenosha WI August 02, 2013 Who is responsible for tree limb removal. Tree limbs are growing in between power wires and are also breaking about to fall. Im renting a house in Kenosha, Wi. Landlord has done nothing. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments Shrubs	Support for non-native, invasive Nandina Domestica from San Antonio, TX July 09, 2013 I consider nandina domestica to be a perfect plant for San Antonio, but see that it is on the list of invasive plants for surrounding eco-areas. How should I respond regarding one of my favorite land... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Soils Trees	User comments on soils from Austin July 02, 2013 You had a question this month about chlorosis in a Mexican plum in Bellaire. You correctly, in my opinion, answered that the problem was most likely overwatering. However, I just wanted to point out a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	You are welcome May 25, 2013 Dear Mills, You are right. My elm has elm finger galls. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments Shrubs Trees	Native replacement for bamboo from Houston May 21, 2013 I've read one reply where you do not advise using Bamboo as a privacy fence plant. What do you suggest in its place? The suggestions on the one I read will not work for me. Your suggestions were My... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants User Comments Cacti and Succulents	Are agaves really native from Pacific Palisades CA April 30, 2013 I just replied re agave issues, and mistakenly asked the source of your information. I see that you clearly noted it, apologies. I would note, however, that the Riverside area is very much a hot,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Clarification of question from Pitcairn PA April 23, 2013 What is the best site and book for wild stables in Pennsylvania? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives User Comments Poisonous Plants Herbs/Forbs	Foxglove safety from England April 21, 2013 Hi, regarding safety of foxgloves grown near edible plants - foxgloves are good companion plants for vegetables, in case of root vegetables they improve their storage life and quality. Foxgloves prote... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Soils Shrubs	Agarita suggestion for Houston area March 05, 2013 Another possible plant for the following question is agarita. The question: "Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Ro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Comment from user on Smarty Plants answer February 12, 2013 Dear Mr.S I received a very thorough answer to my question about trimming native butterfly plants and wanted to thank you. I see that Ann Van Nest answered the question. I intended to give the reply... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Herbs/Forbs	Chile Pequin growing well in Charleston SC January 28, 2013 Not really a question. I have successfully grown from seed Chile Pequins I picked up in Texas here in Charleston Sc. They are so hardy they come back from their stalks each year and sprout from seeds ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives User Comments Trees	Non-native avocado trees in Rio Grande Valley from Austin January 05, 2013 I just read the article in the Austin American Statesman about growing avocados outdoors. Don't know if they grow here, but they certainly don't just grow in south Florida. I used to live in Wesla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives User Comments Vines	Mexican species Orbexilum melanocarpum. January 04, 2013 This is not a question; just a note to supplement a previous MSP post answering a query about a source for Orbexilum. The "mountain pea" that the original questioner was asking about is the e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Authenticity of a vendor from Pensacola FL December 26, 2012 Can you verify the authenticity of Alex Jones as someone who can help us? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Water Gardens Trees	Note on pond over oak roots from Round Rock TX December 23, 2012 Thanks very much to Barbara for answering my question about the live oaks - covering parts of their root systems with a pond. Your answer inspired discussion, and we changed our pond plan and moved th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
General Botany User Comments Shrubs	Comments on white-flowered Mountain Laurel from Austin December 23, 2012 Following up on the August 23, 2012, question from Driftwood about the white-flowering mountain laurel, I have found a few more leads to explore. First, there are four more images of white-flowering m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments	Advocacy of non-native plants. December 10, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Instead of asking a question, I would like to comment on the seemingly discouraging tone on growing plants or trees out of their native habitat that I have observed from rea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Words of Appreciation December 05, 2012 This is a word of sincere admiration and appreciation for the spectacular array of information you posted on liatris. I'm no botanist but a native plant gardener, fond of the beauty of orderly scient... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Shade Tolerant Herbs/Forbs Trees	Native violets under maples from Gettysburg PA July 06, 2012 Just for your info (no need to post or reply), I saw an old post of a question of something to grow under maples. In central PA, native violets grow very well under several species of maples in lawns... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Lists User Comments	Would like a "try instead of" list for non-native plants in Austin, TX. June 19, 2012 It would be so helpful if, when asked about a non-native plant, you would do a "try instead of" list. I have about 45 plants to reseach from my landscaping firm, and it's wearing me out to try to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Butterflyweed June 18, 2012 Can't find a way to say thanks for prompt, helpful answer today from Guy Thompson on starting "Butterflyweed" -- or how to give ans. 5 stars -- so here's thanks &stars! More info than available ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Seeds and Seeding Poisonous Plants Herbs/Forbs	Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA October 29, 2011 No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Doggy berries August 30, 2011 I recently wrote to you regarding my Doggy ingesting some berries from a neighbors out of control fence line-falling onto our property. The answer you gave was 100 % correct! Despite my feeble attempt... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Best of Smarty User Comments	Gardening advice for Ontario, Canada April 20, 2011 HI there. I see most of the readers are in CA, I am in Ontario Canada. I am in need of some advice on a nice flowering all year round garden for both sun/partial sun/shade garden. Some for direct sun ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Wildflowers	List of most popular wildflowers in Texas Hill Country from Austin January 15, 2011 Can you please tell me the top 10 wildflowers found in the Texas hill country..by numbers, not popularity? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	How can I submit a picture with my question? November 09, 2010 How can I submit a picture with my question? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Collection dates for Charles Wright in Texas on Flame acanthus page. September 27, 2010 Mr. SP- there is a date error for Charles Wright's collection time period in Texas, at least on the Flame Acanthus page of wildflower.org. It states, "The species name of this plant is for Charles Wri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Groundcovers	Fast growing groundcover for New York September 02, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I love your site! But I can't quite find this answer: can you recommend a fast-growing groundcover native to southern NY State (Dutchess County) that I can plant NOW (Augus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives User Comments	Another plant with ice plant as the common name from Corpus Christi June 17, 2010 This is not a question, but your "ice plant" answer to El Cajon did not consider Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, which I believe is the common roadside succulent that ate California. God have mercy ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Best of Smarty User Comments	Pot on a pillar in a pond in Pflugerville April 26, 2010 No question: Just a thanks to Barbara. You can't imagine how hard I laughed when I read the interpretation that I was going to plant Maximilians in a pot on a pedestal in the middle of a pond!!! S... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Sorting for Fabaceae family for Central Texas July 21, 2009 I can't seem to get the database to sort for: CenTX Fabacae Dry Part shade Perennials All habits Please tell me how View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Question about Salvia coccinea photos in the Native Plant Database June 29, 2009 A search for Salvia coccinea in the database resulted in some of the pictures showing frostweed crystals ('am assuming that is an error), as well as some white and bicolor pastel pink & white blooms.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Strawberry tree with yellowing leaves. June 07, 2009 Just to add to your statistics, I live in Poulsbo, Washington, very near to Tacoma, Washington. My strawberry tree also has yellowing leaves with some black spots. I will take your advice with the iro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	USDA hardiness Zones May 10, 2009 I love your site..I don't live in Texas and would like it very much if you would include the zone with plant listings. Thank you for all your hard work! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Picture of tree in Gilmer, TX cemetery February 18, 2009 HELP . I am looking to find pictures of the beautiful tree before it was struck by lighting. The tree was in the Gilmer, Tx City View Cemetery ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Thank you Mr. Smarty Plants January 28, 2009 Hi, this is a note of thanks, powerful thanks, for your answer to my question about carolina laurel. Our disappointment was more than made up for by your recommendation to check out OSU's wonderful ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Correction to question involving acid vs. alkaline soil December 31, 2008 In a question about blueberries you said most blueberry web sites are in states with deciduous trees including pines. Not sure about your part of the world but here in NC the pine trees keep the need... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Why do we exclude Mexican plant species? November 17, 2008 Thanks for all your great help and your wonderful website. I have been wondering why you exclude Mexico from "North American" native plants? I live in Austin and it seems like the flora and fauna ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Plants native to Virginia September 07, 2008 I would like to know what websites you would recommend for information about plants native to Virginia. Glad to have found Mr. Smarty Plants, it will be tops on my Favorites list. Thanks for your t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Use of pictures from our Image Gallery August 28, 2008 I would like to use the picture of prickly wild rose on a website I am designing for information on native plants. I am designing this site for children and teachers. Who do I contact? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Wrong photo in Native Plant Database August 18, 2008 The picture to the left of the information for Rudbeckia laciniata L. shows a plant with a dark center. This is not the Cutleaf Conflower with which I am familiar. What is it? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Why is Mr. Smarty Plants website so useless? July 16, 2008 Why is your site so useless? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Plant database correct! June 27, 2008 Wrong taxonomy for bald cypress tree family in your plant database? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Why website does not have better variety of flowers April 27, 2008 Why don't you have a better variety of flowers? I can't find the ones I have. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Wildflowers	Texas bluebonnets for Illinois March 12, 2008 Thank you Mr. Smarty Plants. I will be closely checking the variety of Texas bluebonnets that I tried to plant. For the record, I did soak them first to loosen the seed shell. I think we probably just... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	National Events Calendar March 06, 2008 Where is the link to the National Events Calendar? I would like to submit two events for California. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Wildflower Center	Maintenance policy for Ask Mr. Smarty Plants February 04, 2008 Greetings, I am a volunteer at the University of Washington�s Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural library. I am currently developing a maintenance policy for our database of gardening questions and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Thank you Mr. Smarty Plants October 30, 2007 No question, just wanted to thank Barbara Medford for her most informative and entertaining reply to my Oct. 2 question on the elimation of nutsedge. THANK YOU! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Comment on Doug Shermans photography March 29, 2007 This is actually not a question. I just wanted to comment on Doug Sherman's photographs. I am working on a native garden presentation and his pictures are amazing. I love the way he captures the f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Best of Smarty User Comments Wildflower Center	True date for Earth Day March 09, 2006 My grandson asked me to verify the correct date for Earth Day 2006. Sites on the internet say (a) Earth Day USA is April 22, 2006. (b) International Earth Day is M... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Links to geographical zones February 06, 2006 A link page to similar sites would be helpful. Rather than 8 "geographical zones" how about by real zones; I live in California at 8000 feet. I know I can use the Rocky Mt. Zone to a degree, but al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Obtaining a list of Texas native plants February 16, 2005 I'm a member of the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (New Braunfels area) and wanted to get a list of Texas Native Plants for our Chapter to use as our guideline of what is nat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments	Articles on landscaping with native plants in Kansas August 18, 2004 I work for the Kansas Department of Transportation in Topeka, Kansas and would like to receive information on growing native wildflowers. I have a catalog titled "Wildflower Favorites" that was pub... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
User Comments Wildflower Center	Why use native plants March 14, 2004 Why use native plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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