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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| 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 |  | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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'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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |  | |
| 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 |  | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 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 | ||
| You are welcome May 25, 2013 Dear Mills, You are right. My elm has elm finger galls. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| 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 |  | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |  | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
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