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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| Wildflowers for September wedding from Licking MO June 02, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am getting married this September in Licking Missouri back in the woods on my dads land. I would like to have wildflowers for the bouquets and reception decor. Can I get some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why so many Sugar Hackberry seedlings in my back yard in The Woodlands, TX? May 25, 2013 Why do I have so many Sugar Hackberry seedlings (Celtis Laevigata) sprouting up naturally in my back yard? There are a few Winged Elms in my neighborhood, but no Sugar Hackberry trees that I know of.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Scarifying seeds of evergreen sumacs from Lockhart TX May 19, 2013 Dear Smarty Plants, We would like to grow our own evergreen sumacs. Consulting Nokes book, How to Grow Native Plants on page 310, it says to scarify fresh uncleaned seeds for 30-45 minutes. On page... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How do you determine male persimmon seedlings from the females? May 11, 2013 I have got new persimmon seedlings about 3 inches tall this spring, and am wondering if there is any way to tell male from female at this young stage? I just don't want to plant 20 or 40 seedlings an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Removal of pods when pruning Tecoma stans May 10, 2013 When pruning Tecoma stans for growth and shape control,should I cut off the pods? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Eve's Necklace seeds poisonous to dogs from Plano TX May 09, 2013 Are the seed pods on eve's necklace poisionous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Screen of Thuja Occidentalis on fire-damaged property in Bastrop TX May 04, 2013 I want to plant a screen of Thuja Occidentalis on the east side of our driveway. It is in the burn area of Bastrop, TX. None of our trees survived. Will Thuja Occidentalis grow here? I saw some specim... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing non-native grapefruit from seeds from Austin April 30, 2013 Can you grow ruby red grapefruit trees from seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Spreading bluebonnets in pasture from Ledbetter TX April 29, 2013 I've found a small patch of bluebonnets in my back pasture in Ledbetter, tx. What is the best method of encouraging their spread across the pasture? I've heard that one can pull up the plants and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for seeds of Mexican primrose from Dallas April 25, 2013 Can I purchase Mexican Evening Primrose seeds now for planting in the fall or do I need to wait for the fresh crop of seeds that will be gathered from this spring flowering. How can I be assured the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sharing Selfheal with Texas Friends April 25, 2013 I have discovered selfheal plants in my yard. When and how do I collect the seeds or do I just dig up plants to share with friends? I understand this is actually an herb. I love identifying wildflower... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planted bluebonnets won't prosper in Bluff Dale, TX. April 24, 2013 I have planted bluebonnet seed several years (this last year we planted inoculated seed) always the same results -germination, growth to 4-6 leaf stage, then very pale stunted growth, bronzing. soil t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Black bugs on yucca from Aledo TX April 14, 2013 We have flowering yuccas that have thousands of small black bugs that seem to be hurting the plant. They are not on any other foliage in our beds. What do I use to get rid of them?? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Nimblewill grass for a shady area in Dallas April 04, 2013 i have a very shady backyard and reading some of your post I think Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) will survive. Two questions: Is it drought resistant? Where can I buy the seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Few bluebonnets on MoPac in Austin March 30, 2013 The grass fields along Mopac from Lake Lady Bird to Southwest Parkway usually have a grand display of bluebonnets. This year I do not see any color at all. Can you help me understand what is happening... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Milkweed Seedlings Source for Austin, Texas March 18, 2013 Where can I find seedlings or four inch pots of common milkweed? I have a backyard garden that is mostly filtered sunlight and space for them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lack of Fruit on Forestiera March 17, 2013 I have not been able to get berry production on my elbow bush. I have male and female plants. Is it possible to help with the pollination process? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Habiturf for Round Rock TX March 17, 2013 Topic Habiturf. We have just aerated our lawn. We were planning on throwing out bermudagrass seed. We already have bermudagrass as well as many weeds in the lawn especially the blue stem clump grass w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native lawn grass for Seabrook TX March 12, 2013 We want to seed our lawn in Seabrook, Tx.77586 with a Natural Grass replacing our St. Augustine Grass. I think there is one that is drought resistant (only water it twice a month.) and that does not g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting Antelope Horn Milkweed Seeds March 08, 2013 I recently found a sealed plastic bag containing milkweed seeds in a cabinet drawer that I had gathered more than a year ago, (maybe two years ago). These are the "antelope horn" milkweed I think it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care for non-native Centipede grass February 27, 2013 My lawn is Centipede. I have created a new lawn area. Can and when should I seed/overseed my lawn? I have Rye in the new area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting Tecoma stans seedlings February 25, 2013 I planted and germinated several (about 40) seeds from my Tecoma stans plant and they all sprouted and grew very nicely. They are now about 6 weeks old and they don't seem to be making any more prog... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Failure of flameleaf sumacs to produce fruit January 09, 2013 Our two flame leaf sumacs produce none to little fruit. Both are about 4 years old, quite large, healthy looking; flowering this year was very good, but no fruit. What keeps them from producing fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflower garden with Castilleja indivisa (Indian paintbrush) January 08, 2013 I want to start a wildflower garden in my front/backyard. Specifically, I would like to include the indian paintbrush. What is the best way to go about this? Straight in the ground, containers, etc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Difference in acorn yields from Georgetown TX December 27, 2012 Why do some live oaks produce acorns in abundance and others do not? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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