Native Plants
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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 plants for clay soil in Lathrop MO March 21, 2011 My family just moved to the north Kansas City, MO area and would like to know what native species, both perennial and tree, will do best in the clay soil. It has already proven problematic as we have ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Want to Amend Soil Without Harming Earthworms in Dallas Area March 16, 2011 I have a totally odd question. I live in the Dallas area in the blackland soil. I am removing sod from part of my back yard and will replant with nectar and host plants for butterflies. The soil is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Eastern White Pine suitable for Waxhaw NC February 13, 2011 Pinus strobus ( White Pine )- I wish to plant four of these evergreens along our property lines as a screen. Our county is selling one foot plants in a container. Our soil is clay. Are these t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Caring for Texas Buckeye in Buda TX February 07, 2011 I have a Texas Buckeye that is planted in a moderate amount of shade. It is growing very slowly, and only holds on to it's leaves from late March to August. It has been in the ground for about 4-5 ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Texas Ash and non-native Bradford Pear in Hutto TX January 27, 2011 We have planted two trees in our back yard. The first one(a Bradford Pear) died and the second one (a Texas ash) doesn't look like it's doing very well. Our back yard is mostly black clay about 1 f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to grow in high zinc, lead and copper soil in Los Angeles January 24, 2011 We live on the Westside of Los Angeles and have just been given the bad news that our beds are high in zinc (86.39), lead (45.98) and copper(12.95). Can you recommend some plants that may grow in thes... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Conditions for growing Anacacho Orchid in Smithville TX January 24, 2011 What conditions (soil type, sun/shade, understory? etc.) to grow a healthy Anacacho Orchid tree? And what is the best size tree to plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of algae on dirt and patio January 12, 2011 Algae and on patio and dirt, and how to get rid of same? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to do with soil left over from new driveway in Austin January 07, 2011 When we had a new driveway put in in Mid-December, the topsoil and weedy grass was scraped into a low pile. I watered it and covered it with black plastic to kill all the plant matter. How long should... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Allowing oak leaves to pile up at base of tree from San Jose CA December 26, 2010 Greetings, Is it a good idea to allow oak leaves to pile up at the base of our California live oak? Will that cause fungus, mold and rot that hurts the tree? Thanks for your advice. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Soil improvement near Kerrville, TX December 11, 2010 We live in the Kerrville area; the soil is extremely shallow and deficient. The yard consists of mainly native plants, with a concentration of plants for butterflies and birds. What kind of soil and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cenizo as a Foundation Plant in Austin December 09, 2010 We live next to the wildflower center. We would like to plant "Leucophyllum frutescens". We are hoping to use this as a foundation plant. Will it survive if planted in Dec. Please offer any tips ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blackened leaves on purple sage in Utopia TX December 08, 2010 I live in Utopia Texas and have a 5-ft. Texas Purple Sage that has developed a black appearance on the leaves. What is this and what can I do about it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungus Spots on Native Bush Honeysuckle December 03, 2010 My native bush honeysuckle plants that I have along my back fence have leaves that are turning yellow with spots. It appears to be a type of fungus, but not powdery mildew. Any suggestions as to what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native Asian Jasmine in Austin December 02, 2010 I have a large bed in front of the house full of jasmine that was planted by the builder 25 years ago. What suggestions do you have to eliminate it and prepare the bed to plant native flowers and pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planters for wildflower exhibit in Jemez Springs NM November 28, 2010 I am planning to have a wildflower/pollinator exhibit at a visitor center located on a high elevation grassland (no trees). I would like advice on the size of the planter boxes.The area is located at... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Erosion control on partially shaded slope November 27, 2010 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Time to transplant an Eastern Redbud in Pearland, TX November 17, 2010 When is the best time in the fall to transplant an Eastern Redbud tree in Pearland, TX? We have one approximately 6 feet tall in the back yard and want to move it to the front ASAP. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Texas wild olive tree in Tucson November 15, 2010 Planted a Texas Olive tree in Tucson, Az. Some of the leaves are kind of yellow. It gets part sun and part shade and is growing. Is this due to too much water, not enough water or does it need somet... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for cutout in driveway in Houston November 12, 2010 I live in central Houston. I have a new driveway with a cutout of 4' x 8'. I would like to plant a shade tree that will not break up the concrete. What do you recommend? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Black-eyed Susans in potting soil on ground November 12, 2010 I would like to know if black eyed susans can be planted in just potting soil instead of mixing it in with dirt from the ground? I don't want to leave it in the pots. I want to plant it, but the grou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen tree for planter in Sherman Oaks CA November 11, 2010 We have a large cinder block planter, 6ftx6ftx6ft,in the back of our building and would love to find a good evergreen accent tree (but not pine like). Planter is near a building so preferable it shoul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do leaves with tannins make good compost from Austin November 04, 2010 I have a couple of old native pecan trees in my (or neighbor's) yard that drop bushels and bushels of leaves every fall. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have a recollection that pecan leaves have... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why all the acorns from Austin November 03, 2010 What's the explanation for the huge crop of acorns falling from my live oak trees this fall. Do you recommend I dump them in my composter or just throw them in the flower beds? Thanking you in adv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover to withstand dog traffic in Michigan November 02, 2010 I need a soft ground cover that will grow in sand, and be able to take four big dogs that love to run in the yard. Grass just doesn't make it. Someone suggested that groundcover might work. Thanks... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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