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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| topic | question | |
| Poison ivy? vine in NJ July 30, 2012 I have a vine growing among some vegetation in my backyard. It has a leaf with 3 "points" with ridges along its edges. The smaller leaves are reddish which is why I thought poison ivy but definite... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Skin allergies; is Juniper the culprit in Simi Valley, CA? July 21, 2012 My husband and I have had terrible skin allergy problems this spring (for me it's been 3 years) and think it may be the juniper bushes outside our bedroom and kitchen windows. Is there a fast growin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are there prescribed burn professionals in central Texas? July 12, 2012 I am looking for someone to hire for a controlled hillside burn. Can you recommend someone to hire? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of stinging plant in Central Texas July 02, 2012 I live on 15 acres on Nameless Road. When walking on property, occasionally my leg/ankle brushes against some plant that "stings" me. Like little needles in my skin. Doesn't last long, but becau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source of Allergies in Austin, TX June 19, 2012 Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants. I live in Northwest Austin and I've been suffering from allergies since moving to Austin. The allergies seem to occur at least once a year for at least a month or two. Beg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Zinc tolerant plants for sunny area June 08, 2012 I have a very high zinc soil in an all day sun area. Any suggestions as to what kind of flower can I grow successfully? Zone 8 Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Toxicity of catalpa wood? June 05, 2012 Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic? Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating ragweed in Sacramento CA May 16, 2012 Rag weed. How to be rid of it! My wife and lots of others that live in this part of Sacramento suffer greatly. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Germination of Sophora seeds, and Dodder identification in Kingsland, TX. May 02, 2012 Our Mt. Laurel has just produced seeds. Can those be scarified and planted now or do they have to dry out. Also what is the stringy orange substance that gets on bluebonnets and other wildflowers ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How Can I Tell an Invasive Thistle from a Native May 01, 2012 Mr Smarty Plants, I have some thistles coming up in my yard. I'd like to keep them if they are native, but not if they are invasive or non-native. How can I tell? My yard is a wild area in West Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating KR? Bluestem from St. Augustine Yard in Spicewood, TX April 28, 2012 How can I eradicate bluestem grass invading my St. Augustine lawn? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proposal of marriage to Mr. Smarty Plants April 21, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Will you marry me? Garden bliss hangs in the balance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the orange vine that is covering the wildflowers from Llano, TX? April 10, 2012 What is the invasive orange vine that is covering the wildflowers on Texas highways? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling Passionflora Incarnata propagation March 20, 2012 Would a cinderblock raised bed, 8 inches in height, be sufficient to contain the roots of passiflora incarnata and keep them from traveling to places where I don't want the vine? Are the roots deepe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Black Walnut tree in LA March 12, 2012 I was just given a black walnut tree and am trying to determine where to place it. I’ve read on your site that “Certain plants will not grow under Black Walnut trees because of the juglones that the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Reducing Allergens in Yards and Gardens January 31, 2012 What are some allergen-free native plants to Central Texas that thrive in the soil and can survive in the weather? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Killing oak sprouts from El Paso TX August 16, 2011 I want to know how to kill oak root sprouts and seedlings. Very dense and out-of-control in huge area of front lawn. I had tree cut down and I still cannot get rid of them. They're only getting wors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| removing paper mulberry shoots from lawn August 09, 2011 Dear Mr./Ms. Smartypants, I recently moved into an Austin home with the backyard taken over by paper mulberries. There were originally 2-3 large bush/trees, but now that I've removed them I realiz... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need something to compete with Virginia wild rye in Bristol, TN. July 29, 2011 I have been working for 4 years to convert a large area of sunny lawn (150' x 40') to a native woodland planting, using native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses. Although I used seeds of a variety ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Invasive native wild onions in East Granby CT May 17, 2011 I have wild onions which have become extremely invasive. I have no idea how to get rid of them, and this year they seem to have taken over my entire flower bed. I tried pulling the bulbs out for sever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native mint invading flower beds in Kendallville IN April 26, 2011 A few years back we were given two sprouts of something referred to as peppermint tea. We planted in our flower bed and now it has taken over. It seems to start slow in the spring but doesn't take lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to get rid of nut grass from San Antonio March 22, 2011 We just had a house built on a lot that was mostly rock. The small back yard has a berm on which they brought in soil then mulched it. Now we are getting all sorts of weeds through the mulch, what my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of a small itchy vine in Granbury, Texas December 24, 2010 I am clearing an area near some trees that has never been "domesticated". There is a little itchy vine that grows pretty extensively (not very much top growth, but is all over the place). The smal... 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 | ||
| Plant identification of vine in Ohio September 21, 2010 I have a vine in my forest that grows up trees, that could eventually pull them over. It has roundleaves and prickers on the stem. What is this vine so I can research it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live oak sprouts in Austin August 01, 2010 How can I control the hundreds of live oak sprouts our lovely trees are throwing off? We recently landscaped with rain gardens and the related drainage ditches; they are filled with these very happy ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of bermudagrass July 13, 2010 How do I get rid of bermuda grass in my San Augustine grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eradication of invasive thistles in Parma OH July 11, 2010 Lawn is full of prickly weeds with very deep roots. May be called Scotch Thistle, although id is not confirmed. They will grow as tall as they can amid other plants, and when mowed in the lawn, they... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating dogbane from transplanted milkweed in Franklin Lakes NJ May 10, 2010 We transplanted milkweed from the wild into our garden. Included in the clump of milkweed was dogbane. We weren't aware of how invasive dogbane is. We've has some success in digging it out but we'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling poison oak or poison ivy in Iowa April 29, 2010 We recently purchased a property that is VERY wooded and has been vacant for two yrs. with little upkeep previously. We have (we were told) l00 yr old poison oak vines hanging from trees. We hired so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aggressive native Inland Sea Oats in Whitehouse Station NJ April 29, 2010 Can you direct me to a source of help managing a very aggressive grass, Chasmanthium latifolia, Woodland Oats or Indian Sea Oats. It is behaving like a very noxious plant and I am concerned as I am h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native invasive bermuda grass in Morgan's Point TX April 25, 2010 We are trying to establish a wildflower meadow, but are having trouble with the neighbor's invasive bermudagrass taking over..what can be done to eliminate the bermuda? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of skunk cabbage in Hopedale OH April 22, 2010 How can someone get rid of skunk cabbage? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets and weeds in Burleson TX March 31, 2010 I have lots of blue bonnets growing in my yard but they are overcome with weeds. What can I use to eliminate the weeds without killing the bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of invasive plant March 26, 2010 I have found an invasive plant species in Martindale, Texas that I would like to identify for family members. It is taking over their pasture and is difficult to eliminate. It has not bloomed yet but... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native invasive Asian jasmine in Temple TX February 06, 2010 Hello, behind my backyard fence there is a large growth (about 300 to 400 sq feet) of Asian jasmine. It was planted by previous owners. It prevents growth of native plants like holly. What is the prac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating bluebonnets from lawn December 05, 2009 I need to know the best way to eliminate bluebonnets which are growing in my yard. My HOA is pursuing legal action against me to prevent me growing the plants. I can't afford to "resod" my yard. Ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Containing roots in Kaysville UT October 26, 2009 I'm planting my yard in all native Rocky Mountain and Great Basin plants. Is there a way to halt or contain the root propagation of Smooth Leaf Sumac and Quaking Aspen? I've considered digging dow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aggressive Frogfruit September 17, 2009 I have frogfruit voluntarily growing in my flower beds. I had intended to use it as a ground cover but am concerned that it is taking over. Will it kill (smother) my flowers that I have planted for bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Treating stings from stinging nettles in Indiana August 08, 2009 How can I remove hairlike thorns (as from nettle-type weed)? My hands react within 24 hours with swelling and pain, esp in morning. In past when I have then been able to locate the offending thorn, th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How do you get rid of Mexican Petunia? July 21, 2009 How do you get rid of Mexican Petunia? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How can I eradicate Mexican Petunia from my garden in Vacaville CA? July 02, 2009 Can you tell me the best way to eradicate the plant Ruellia, commonly known as Mexican Petunia, from my garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating crabgrass in a newly mulched area in Austin June 26, 2009 We just had our whole front lawn taken out. We are starting to plant native plants in its place. The idea was to do what’s best for the environment and reduce maintenance. At this point I’m beginni... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing non-native juniperus x pfitzeriana in Arvada CO June 25, 2009 We have 200' of large juniper pfitzers (3' tall - 4' wide) that completely enclose our front yard. We want to remove all of them but the estimates to dispose of them have been extremely high. One... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of Adams needle (Yucca filamentosa) June 24, 2009 My friend is changing her flower beds around and is wanting to eliminate an Adam's needle that has been there for several years. She has already dug it up and now is trying to get rid of all the new... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of weeds in buffalograss mix in Houston June 15, 2009 I recently attempted to seed a small lawn area with a buffalo/blue grama grass mix, unfortunately for me the area has been hit hard with weeds. Is there an environmentally friendly method to reduce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating skunk cabbage in Troy, NY May 19, 2009 My yard is overgrown with skunk cabbage. My question is how do I get rid of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of poison ivy May 08, 2009 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, Likewise I also have a shady area in my yard with overgrowth of poison ivy. It borders a small duck pond and we have a Golden Retriever. I too would like to plant soon afterward... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating agave roots in Tonto Basin AZ April 22, 2009 Greetings Mr. Smarty Plants, from Tonto Basin, AZ! We have numerous mature (huge!) Agave Americana plants here, and have, until recently, enjoyed them. However, we are now ready for a drastic landscap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Elimination of Whitemouth dayflower in Dothan AL March 18, 2009 I am infested with Widow's Tears in my yard. I would like to get rid of them. Can you tell me how? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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