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 plants for birds and butterflies June 27, 2008 We have a home on Lake Sam Rayburn and in the process of putting in some plants and shrubs around our new home. I would like them to be native to the area and attract birds, butterflies and hummingbir... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for East Texas school gardens May 19, 2008 I am a teacher in San Augustine, Texas (which is in the Eastern Pineywoods region). I have started an outdoor classroom/schoolyard habitat at our school. We are in the process of planning our plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hummingbird plants and Indian Hawthorn May 13, 2008 I live in The Woodlands in a new section of homes. I planted some hummingbird plants in full sun and they did ok last year for 4 months, then lost all their leaves and died when the winter came. At ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants beneficial to wildlife in Cincinnati, OH April 25, 2008 I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and I am looking for native plants to plant in a small area of trees behind my house. I would like the plants to be beneficial for wildlife, like maybe some wildflowers. T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native nectar plants for hummingbirds in Central Texas April 24, 2008 Ref: Cen.Tx. Hummingbird plants I am seeking a list of appropriate plants with lots of nectar to attract hummingbirds in Central Texas. I live in Hays County between Kyle & Wimberley in a mostly ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Host plant for butterflies in North Carolina March 27, 2008 What is the best host plant for butterflies in North Carolina? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Importance of native plants for wildlife. March 04, 2008 I just read Donald Tellamy's new book,Bringing Nature Home. He documents how native plants provide more nourishment for wildlife than introduced plants. The definition of native plants that I use is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grasses and wildflowers for Houston meadow February 28, 2008 I recently bought a house in a new subdivision just south of Houston - as with most new developments, the area is devoid of nature for the most part... I have planted many bird/butterfly/bee fr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife gardening in Georgia February 19, 2008 I am looking for native shrubs/flowers that will attract butterflies and/or birds. I live in Milledgeville, GA which is in central GA, 1 mile from the Oconee River. Some areas of my yard are full sun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for birds in Virginia February 17, 2008 Hi there, I would like to plant some bird-friendly shrubs in my backyard, here in the Shenandoah Valley. I have read that birds like winterberries, and I think they are gorgeous. But, this is mid-Fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hybrid of Campsis radicans to attract hummingbirds February 06, 2008 Hello :) I am not new to gardening...just new with new varieties of plants/flowers. I tried to do my "homework" first before contacting you...so I do appreciate your time. Anyhoo, I'm developin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Xeriscape demonstration garden October 30, 2007 I am working with the city of Schertz to rejuvenate a xeriscape demonstration garden. We want to plant a hummingbird/butterfly garden using native plants. The current bed is currently overrun with ber... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants to attract butterflies October 18, 2007 I'm a Texas A&M Wildlife and Ecology student working with a landowner in Bastrop County, Texas. As part of their Habitat Management Plan, they are hoping to enhance butterfly habitat on their proper... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife benefit of western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) October 16, 2007 A neighbor and I are planting a nearby waste area. I'd like to plant things that will help any wildlife that's managed to survive, probably birds. I may be able to get Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Caterpillars on Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) September 29, 2007 I have a Carolina buckthorn and last year there were interesting looking caterpillars munching on the leaves. They were camouflaged to look a bit like bird droppings. The plant database makes no ment... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower meadow for Arkansas September 16, 2007 We want to create a 1/2-1 acre wildflower style "meadow" using native plants that we can naturalize. I found information for our area (Central Arkansas) on this website that is helpful, but I am als... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen plant with berries for wildlife September 16, 2007 We live in central Texas and I am attempting to plant for wildlife. Could you suggest an evergreen, approximately 3-4 feet tall, that would have berries for the birds in the Fall and winter? The pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants to attract bees for vegetable garden August 12, 2007 I'm looking for native plants that can help attract bees around my vegetable garden to help with pollination. What recommendations do you have? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Butterflies and larval hosts in Dallas County June 19, 2007 My class is starting a butterfly habitat at school. We have researched plants that attract butterflies, however we forgot to look for plants that feed the caterpillars and we want to provide the expe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife management tax exemption May 15, 2007 I live on 10 acres of prairie land near Austin. I want to learn about drying and pressing and gluing and preserving wildflowers as art in pictures and bookmarks and cards. My attempts have failed an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recommendations for native plants for Dallas Co., TX May 12, 2007 Looking for a Recommendation: Can you suggest a plant that meets the following requirements? ENVIRONMENT -- - I live in Garland, in Dallas County, TX. - The soil is primarily clay. - Full sun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants for a lizard terrarium October 24, 2006 My brother is setting up a terrarium for his lizard and wants advice on some species to put in the tank. He wants plants that generally fit the below description. Can you think of anything fairly c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for wildlife gardening in Illinois May 29, 2006 I live in Rockford, Illinois. Where/How can I find information on native flowers, plants, trees, grasses and animals, and other things I can plant on our property (about an acre) to provide a home fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for condo apartments in New York October 14, 2005 Hello, and thank you for this wonderful source of help! We live in Hastings on Hudson, NY in a brick building of 7 condo apartments. Our corner unit has one narrow flower bed out front on the stre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants, wildlife hosts for small yard in New Jeersey October 12, 2005 I live in New Jersey & am in the process of changing my yard over to native plants. My yard is very small & I currently have a Kousa dogwood tree that I want to replace with something native. I need... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Host plants to monarch butterflies in Starr County, TX July 14, 2005 I plant native larval and nectar plants that support the life cycle of the monarch butterfly here in the east; but, where can I find a list of native plants for my friends in the Tamaulipan Biotic P... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife habitat in Gambia April 06, 2005 Thank you for the interesting website. We bought a plot in the Gambia and would like to change it into a habitat for different living species; hence, your kindly advise is welcome as we are definitel... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Duck-resistant plants for pond in California March 31, 2005 I want to plant around a water pond and I need some plants that my ducks will not destroy. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Luring wildlife in Longview March 27, 2005 I live in Longview, Texas and am in the process of trying to restore a natural habitat for wildlife in my area. Could you give me a list of plants that are native specific so that I can lure local bi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting for parrots March 23, 2005 I have 2 parrots, a sun conure and a nanday conure, and I would like to find some plants to put in their aviary room that are safe for parrots. Can you help me with this question? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Little birds for Little Rock March 21, 2005 I would like to plant flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies like. I live in Little Rock, Arkansas. What do you suggest? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native landscaping and wildlife gardening in Clifton, TX November 29, 2004 I am moving to Clifton, TX, and I will have an empty lot in the town along with my own home/lot. What kind of soil can I expect? I want to grow a wildflower site to just sit and enjoy and feed the a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| From hay to meadow August 31, 2004 I have just acquired a 90 acre farm in the Hudson River Valley and would like to turn some hay fields into natural meadows. One, for example is 20 acres, and has been let go to weed (goldenrod, thistl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bird attracting plants in Northeast U.S. March 22, 2004 What plants will attract birds in zone 6 (Northeast) in the spring and early summer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Backyard habitat March 20, 2004 I’d like to start a backyard habitat. How do I begin? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Creating a wildlife refuge January 30, 2003 We would like to make my yard more of a wildlife refuge by using a portion of the lawn for plants and shrubs and may afford shelter for birds and other wildlife. Can you please recommend what we shoul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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