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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| Plants Needed for a Shaded, Rocky Slope in Alabama July 06, 2016 I live in Alabama where the soil is clay and rocky. I've tried planting on a rocky slope I have but, it's also shaded. Not even Juniper will survive on this slope. I've spent thousands of dollars tryi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade Shrubs for a NJ Slope June 27, 2016 I live in central NJ and have a 15' shaded slope behind my home with a creek on the bottom. The slope erodes a little every year and I want to plant native plants on the slope to stop the erosion. Wha... 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 |  | |
| Rabbit-proof Plants for Florida Swimming Pool Area February 22, 2016 I plan on planting white star jasmine and purple bocouilla plants around a south-facing swimming pool in Naples, Florida. I was told rabbits might eat them which we do have. Should I be concerned, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a fairy garden February 16, 2016 Hi Smarty.. I would like to create a fairy garden for my 3 year old daughter this spring in a 4ft x 2ft space. Do you have any suggestions on what native plants would be great for this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub Recommendation for Chain Link Fence in DE January 26, 2016 What shrub would you recommend for covering a chain link fence and providing a screen between mine & my neighbors yard? They have kids, so it would have to be non-toxic. I'd like flowers/berries for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs for 2,000 feet Elevation in AZ January 23, 2016 What shrubs can I plant in New River, AZ, 2,000 feet above sea level? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Climbing Roses for the Pacific Northwest January 23, 2016 I'm trying to find out which types of climbing roses may exist in the Pacific Northwest. I live in western Washington, and I have a small yard with several large hedges bordering it. I'm growing hai... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs for Birds and Bees in North Texas December 17, 2015 I have a small backyard and would love to grow native plants for North Texas. I don't think I can grow trees, but for sure can do 1-2 crape myrtle-size shrubs. I have some rose of Sharon's going on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hillside Groundcovers for Pollinating Insects in Wisconsin November 28, 2015 I am looking for native plants for a project around Hudson, Wisconsin. We are to choose native plants to be seeded next spring 2016. They are to be planted on a hillside under and around solar panels ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade, Heat, Drought and Acidic Soil Tolerant Perennials for Las Vegas? November 28, 2015 What can I grow under my pine trees that is shade and heat (and acidity) tolerant? I live in Las Vegas, NV and would like perennials to plant under my pine trees. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vines for a Chicago Pergola in Zone 5 November 28, 2015 I'm looking for some recommendations of vines for my south-facing pergola. I live in a northwest suburb of Chicago, in Zone 5 with heavy clay soil. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Colorful Maples for Virginia and Pennsylvania November 27, 2015 We are trying to find out which trees have three or more leaf colors in the fall in Virginia and/or Pennsylvania. We found that Sweetgum and some maples do. Can you please let us know which maples hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Indoor and Outdoor, Fast Growing Plants for California October 22, 2015 I’m looking for the best plants for me. I have small kids so they would have to be safe. I would like them to be able to grow inside or outside. I would love for them to grow fast and reproduce fast. 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 | ||
| Native Tree for Narrow Space in PA October 04, 2015 I have a narrow space along my cedar fence in full sun. A Japanese maple approximately 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide is failing there due to winter rodent damage to its base. I would like to replace i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| List of native plants found in South Texas counties August 22, 2015 Does the LBJ Wildflower Ctr. have a place on its site where lists of native plants found in each Texas county can be accessed? I am working on a comparative database of commonly used sources (e.g., La... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennials in the Family Solanaceae (Potato or Nightshade Family) August 15, 2015 Hello, What plants, in the Night shade (Solanaceae) family, are Perennials? Thank you! Kristy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii August 12, 2015 I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowering plants for Frisco, Texas August 12, 2015 Hi There, I recently moved from Ohio, Cleveland to TX, Frisco. Could you please suggest me native flowering plants in my back yard and front yard. I like different flowers. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Ohio Shubs for Wildlife July 20, 2015 Hi, I'm looking to plant shrubs and bushes for in front of our home this week but would like to plant some that are good for wildlife including bees and birds. Do you have any suggestions for norther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butterfly Plants for D.C. Garden July 16, 2015 I have one half of the side of the house face NE and the other half faces NW. The front of the house faces east. The back of the house faces west which is woody with native trees of Rock Creek Park of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL June 25, 2015 Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Plant for Containers in Delaware June 23, 2015 I live on the East Coast. I have a large covered porch that only gets some afternoon sun. I have tried full sun, partial sun and shade plants, and had no luck with them thriving. Can you recommend any... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Container Plants for Lubbock, Texas June 22, 2015 Hello! I am looking for plants suitable for container gardening for a west facing porch in Lubbock. Plants need to be super tough to endure the baking sun, constant wind, dry air, extreme temperatures... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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