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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| Native Streambank Plants for SE Pennsylvania July 18, 2013 I help manage a nature preserve in southeastern Pennsylvania. Along the stream the banks have been beaten down by a large number of visitors for their educational activities such as stream studies. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Desert Willow and Orchid tree with no upper leaves from Kerrville TX May 30, 2013 I have two 5 year old Desert Willows planted in my yard. This year only one has leaved out and blooming. The other is bare but the branches are not dead and it has new growth at the bottom. Do you kno... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deadwood for Degus February 01, 2013 I have a very specific and hopefully easy question. I just brought home some degus (small adorable rodents) and they have a severely restricted list of woods they can chew on safely. The safe trees th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pollinating moth of Arkansas Yucca from Arlington TX May 15, 2012 What is the pollinating moth of the Arkansas yucca. I have Desert willows which is the larval host for white-winged moth, but the yuccas are still not seeding. What other larval hosts plants can I p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Do non-native globe willows have a taproot from Midland TX April 06, 2012 Do globe willows have a tap root? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for home in Kansas April 01, 2012 I am needing help planting trees in my yard. It's a new construction home and I would like a tree that won't get into the septic system easily. Also, I have to plant 3 other trees as well due to the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| High water table in Glewood Springs CO March 03, 2012 We are considering the purchase of a home in Glenwood Springs, CO (elev. Approximately 5,000 ft) and find it strange that while neighboring properties in the subdivision have beautiful landscaping wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need to Stabilize River Bank in Kentucky December 20, 2011 My home borders the Ohio River. I have lost a great deal of soil to the river. I am looking for plants with tight root systems that are water tolerant to protect my shoreline. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Swarming insects on non-native willow in Washington PA September 25, 2011 I have had a very large, beautiful pillow willow bush/tree growing next to our garage for about 8 years. Last year at the end of August, it began to attract white-faced hornets and yellow jackets by t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves browning on non-native willow from in Cumbla PA July 10, 2011 We recently planted a willow tree. A lot of the leaves turned yellow and some turned brown, but it is also getting some new buds. my question is, should I take the dead leaves off or leave them there... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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