Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
192 Results:   10  25 50 100 per page


topicquestion
Deer and rabbit repelling plants at nature sanctuary in Waterford VA
May 11, 2010
We have established a native pollinator garden at our nature sanctuary. Last summer deer and perhaps rabbits devastated it. Now people are proposing surrounding it with boxwood which deer don't like-...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant native ground cover for part sun in Lago Vista TX
May 01, 2010
Looking for a ground cover in an area that gets partial sun, is level and good drainage. Area is 10' x 20'. Thought about Trachelospermun Asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine) but what ever I go with it has t...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant plants for wildlife in Margaretville NY
April 18, 2010
We have a 60 degree bank behind a recently completed retaining wall that is mostly rocky with a light topsoil. We are going to put down grass just to keep the topsoil in place, but someone suggested ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are Hollyhocks deer resistant?
April 07, 2010
Are Hollyhocks deer resistant?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer Resistant Plants for East Texas
March 29, 2010
We have a lake house at Lake Cypress Springs, between Mt Vernon and Winnsboro, in East Texas. Can you suggest some deer-resistant plants/shrubs that have the potential to last? I understand deer wil...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant, deciduous plants for New Braunfels, TX
March 28, 2010
I have three acres of filtered sunlight/mostly shade. What deer resistant, flowering, deciduous plants are best for the New Braunfels area. I have had split leaf phyladendruns for twenty years, but th...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant Texas native flowers and bushes from Austin
March 24, 2010
What are some Texas native flowers and bushes that are deer resistant?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Flowering, deer resistant plants for South Carolina
March 21, 2010
Can you tell me which flowering plants are deer resistant and will grow in South Carolina?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant vines for Kentucky
January 28, 2010
Is there a vine I can grow on my garden fence to deter deer?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Pruning Holly after Deer Browse
January 16, 2010
Deer have been eating my Holly Bushes. Can I prune now in January? I live in the North of New Jersey. Will they come back fuller? I just planted them in spring last year. How can I get them fuller
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Non-native Indian Hawthorn and Abelia resistance to deer from Ackerman MS
January 16, 2010
I recently landscaped my yard. I have a large variety of bushes and trees. They have been planted for about a month. Yesterday, while out in the yard, I noticed that about half of my Indian hawthorn...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Native grasses for New York to feed deer
January 02, 2010
What native grasses do you recommend to encourage deer forage in feed plots?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant vines for trellis
December 07, 2009
We would love to have a blooming vine on our trellis, but the deer devour ever attempt. Please recommend something! Thank you.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Why is Rhus aromatica more deer resistant from Seattle
December 07, 2009
I have a large area that I would like to cover with Rhus aromatica. My landscaper says that in his experience, Rhus typhina and glabra in this area are heavily browsed by deer. I noticed in your dat...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistance of maple leaf viburnum in Austin
November 20, 2009
Looking on the Texas Plant Information Database for Maple Leaf Viburnum, I don’t find any information about deer (whitetail or axis, southern edge of Edwards Plateau) resistance. Other sites give mixe...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant groundcover for sunny hillside in California
November 17, 2009
we are looking for a deer resistant, drought resistant ground cover that we can grow from seed. we have a large,partial sunny hillside, well drained,that is cover with oak leaves and pine needles..and...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Does deer repellant really work from Hope NJ
November 10, 2009
Does Deer Stopper by Messina Wildlife really work as an organic pest repellent?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant evergreens for southern CT.
October 05, 2009
We live on a deer path in southern Connecticut. What native evergreen tree can we plant which will not be eaten to death by the deer?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant wildflower seed mix
October 04, 2009
I'm looking for a wildflower seed mix that is deer resistant (they walk right through this area), drought tolerant, full sun, perennial or self-seeding annual, for Austin, Texas. Any recommendations...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Overwintering possumhaw seedlings indoors in Pflugerville, TX.
September 30, 2009
Can possumhaw (Ilex decidua) seedlings be kept indoors over the winter? The goal is to protect them from deer and there is no other good option (i.e., no protected outdoor porch, etc.), unless you ca...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Evergreen deer resistant shrub for Texas
September 25, 2009
I live in Bastrop TX and the deer have decimated the landscaping at the end of our sidewalk. I need to find compact, evergreen shrubs, (flowering would be a bonus), that will do well in shade and gro...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Food for deer and turkey in Oklahoma
September 10, 2009
We recently moved to NE Oklahoma from Texas and have 7 acres, a lot of wild turkeys and wild deer. About 2-3 acres are open, with sun and partial to lots of shade as the rest is heavily wooded. What ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant plants for erosion control on steep hill
June 28, 2009
I would like control a steep hill behind my house that is red clay, northern exposure with little sun. What plants would you recommend that deer will not eat?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Need a deer resistant plant that will grow in clay soil in Missouri.
June 22, 2009
I need a plant or bush that is deer resistant and that will grow in clay soil. Can you help me?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Non-native mimosa as deer food in Colerain, NC
June 20, 2009
I was wondering if deer eat any part of the mimosa tree? I have three good sized trees in my yard with seedlings popping up everywhere. Would it be profitable to transplant for deer habitat?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Have deer eaten the flowers of my Esperanza?
June 16, 2009
My wife and I planted an Esperanza plant and it seemed to be doing well. It had numerous blossoms and we were excited at the prospect of having a beautiful plant that was alledgedly a "deer proof" ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant groundcover for Tampa, Florida
June 06, 2009
I live in Tampa, FL and have a deer problem. I was wondering if you would give me some suggestions for deer resistant ground covers that are hearty and flower but most of all "DEER RESISTANT"!!! ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant groundcovers in Georgetown, TX
May 20, 2009
Is silver ponyfoot inviting deer into the yard? What are good alternatives, deer resistant, for large areas of groundcover, 100-200 sq. ft.?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Is it deer or ducks eating plants in Granbury, TX?
May 18, 2009
I have some salvia and coreopsis that were recently beheaded along with some blooms on Knockout roses. I had just recently put out some Deerscram, but we've had some ducks visiting recently. Could ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant low-lying plants for Michigan
May 13, 2009
I want to create a bed of low lying plants (under 4 ft.)in the front of my cottage. The soil is completely sandy and gets eastern sun in the AM. There are many deer in the area.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

What plants are the most deer resistant in Connecticut?
May 13, 2009
Please advise me as to what plants are the most deer resistant and native to Wilton, CT. Most importantly, what evergreen shrubs and perennials will best survive?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant plants for New York
May 10, 2009
My home is near the woods and so we get plenty of deer munching on everything but we also have shade and dappled light in the yard. I need to figure out plants that would thrive under these conditions...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Prunus subhirtella deer resistance in Ironwood MI
May 06, 2009
Is the double flowering prunus pendula subhirtella deer "food"?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistance of peonies in Virginia
May 02, 2009
Are peony's deer resistant - I'm in Virginia
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer and rabbit resistant plants for Virginia
April 22, 2009
I am trying to find deer and rabbit resistant plants/ornamental grasses and flowers to create a year round garden (garden with interest all year) in two large and one small flowerbed in the front of o...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant evergreen shrubs for Saratoga Springs, NY
April 20, 2009
Deer resistant, evergreen shrubs for Saratoga Springs, NY.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant vegetables
April 18, 2009
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Are there any vegetables that are deer resistant? Squash, Watermelon, Corn, Chilies?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Is old fashioned Hollyhock deer resitant?
April 12, 2009
Is Old Fashioned Hollyhock deer resistant?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Holly attacked by deer in Connecticut
March 18, 2009
My holly bush was eaten by deer. Will the leaves come back or is it done?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are peonies resistant to javelina and deer predation?
March 11, 2009
Are peonies resistant to javalina and deer predation in Prescott, AZ
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant plants for Toronto, Ontario
March 02, 2009
What are the native trees and shrubs that are resistant to deer browsing and rubbing?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant shrubs for Michigan
January 28, 2009
I live in deer country. I'm looking for shrubs that are attractive to birds but not to deer. Our soil is sandy. I have a part sun, part-shade situation. I live in zone 6, two miles east of Lake Michi...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are birdhouse gourds deer-resistant?
January 24, 2009
Bird house gourds: they smell nasty (to this human being) but I NEED to know if deer are as repelled as a human by the strong odor put off by the plants.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Plants with latex-containing sap
December 23, 2008
Hi, I was on a nature hike this past summer in Yosemite, and our Ranger guide told us about latex in the Milkweed and the Western Dogwood being a defense mechanism against browsing by deer. I'm a lan...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Sun tolerant, rabbit-resistant plants in Plano, TX
November 07, 2008
I live in Plano, Texas and am trying to identify sun tolerant plants for my landscape that are also rabbit resistant. The rabbits have taken over and destroy pansies, marigolds, etc. I am looking fo...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer eating creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata)
November 04, 2008
We have Creosote Bushes (Larrea tridentata) that grow wild on out 10 acres. The deer eat those plants all year 'round. Probably more in the dry times of the year. Just wanted to let you know that t...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Is Smooth Sumac deer resistant
September 01, 2008
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I noticed there was no deer resistant rating for smooth sumac in your plant data base. Aromatic sumac is rated as 'high'. Do you have an opinion on deer resistance for smo...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Height of plastic tree guards to protect against deer
August 27, 2008
How high do the plastic tree guards used to prevent deer rubbing need to be? I live in northeastern Pa.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Leguminous deer-resistant groundcover
August 25, 2008
Please help me identify a deer-resistant leguminous ground cover native to Central Texas to serve as a guard plant in edible-plant groupings.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer-resistant plants for Maryland
August 23, 2008
Hello- I have a acre that is mostly full-sun (and no shade on the house) and part shade (edge of the yard) and not much in between. It is also overrun with hungry deer! I am having a hard time finding...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

192 Results:   10  25 50 100 per page