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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
topic | question | |
Blueberries & Raspberries for Walla Walla WA October 17, 2011 Which blueberry and raspbery plants grow best and suvive winter in Walla Walla Washington View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need source for garlic to plant in garden in Fort Worth, TX. September 30, 2011 Where can I get or purchase a native Texas garlic to plant in my garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are the seeds of Amberique bean edible in Beaumont, TX September 28, 2011 I found one of these growing in my yard. Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott Amberique-bean, Trailing fuzzybean. Are the bean pods edible? I read somewhere that they are. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What variety of Opuntia is best for eating in Boerne, TX. September 26, 2011 Which variety of Opuntia, is best for eating the pads and which are the ones best eaten for fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Patience pays off with chile pequin in Austin September 24, 2011 Hello. Re my June 08, 2011 message -- Guess what! The chile pequin is finally flowering and setting fruit in its container on my apartment patio. You said patience, you were right, and hooray once aga... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of tree with strawberry-like fruit in North Carolina September 24, 2011 While visiting Boone, North Carolina we walked the Greenway in town. There were a few trees with a round red fruit similar to a strawberry. They were about the size of a penny and a dull red color dot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Could hickory leaves be used as seasoning from Waynesboro VA September 17, 2011 I have a hickory tree. If I pull a leaf off and rip it then smell, there is a strong wonderful scent of hickory much like when I rip a mint leaf there is a strong smell of mint. So my question is, can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
List of plants native to the Abilene, Texas area September 15, 2011 Am looking for direction to a complete list of plants native to the Abilene, Taylor County, Texas area (trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti and other plants that grew here before cultivation, eradication or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant identification in Georgia September 14, 2011 I saw the same question that I was going to ask about the plant that folds its leaves at dusk, with sparse branches, rapid growth, small yellow flowers and long (whisker-like, but do not appear to be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are there edible nettles native to the Austin, TX area? September 13, 2011 Are there any nettles native to this area? I would like to cook with them (if there is a good substitute, please advise). Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |