Native Plants
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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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| Narrow strip of groundcover from Sonora TX April 29, 2013 I have an area that is right under my patio about 12 feet by 1 ft. I'm looking for something to plant in there. It has afternoon sun, morning shade. I live in SW Texas so it is hot. but would like so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a Steep, Sunny Slope in Iowa April 28, 2013 I am looking for plants native to Iowa for a steep, sunny slope or groundcover. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for heavily traveled walkway from Redondo Beach CA April 23, 2013 I am looking for a drought resistant ground cover that you can walk on. I live on a south facing, sunny corner lot, 2 blocks from the beach where people park and need to cross over to get to the sidew... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shady Perennial Groundcover Suggestions for Indiana April 21, 2013 Could you please recommend perennial groundcovers for Indiana that are low and leafy, self-spreading, non-invasive, deer resistant, and moisture tolerant; and that are good for erosion control on a sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant, Fast Growing Groundcover Suggestions for Georgia April 20, 2013 Our driveway is 1/4 mile in length and is steep on both sides (one side up one side down). It currently has grass that our contractor planted using seed when we built our house. We are unable to cut t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover Under Maple Tree in Ottawa That Takes Foot Traffic April 19, 2013 Hi, I am looking for a groundcover to put under a large maple tree that will be alright for kids to run about on and will be happy in the Ottawa climate. Your other answers to similar questions have b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen groundcover for full sun in North Carolina April 16, 2013 I have an area that is in full sun and I need to know the best low growing evergreen that possibly flowers to help cover where a ditch/water drainage pipe is below the planting area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for plants to put between stones on a path in Austin, TX April 12, 2013 I am looking for plants to put between stones on a path, which are low-an inch or two, green, low water and tolerate full sun in Austin, Texas View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for shade grass in El Paso TX April 05, 2013 We currently have a Honey Mesquite tree with thinning bermuda grass underneath in our front yard. I suspect that the filtered shade is killing the bermuda. I was thinking of planting Buffalo Grass, or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Starting over on a lawn in Heath TX April 02, 2013 Unless one counts dichondra as grass I have more weeds than grass in my yard.I have hand pulled the weeds and used an organic program without success. The soil is a hard clay typical of North Texas. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| South Austin Groundcovers for Oak Shade March 29, 2013 Hi! I live in S. Austin now but used to work at the Wildflower Center! My backyard is shady with several oak mots. Do you have any suggestions as to what if any ground cover will grow in all that sha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcovers for Miami FL March 27, 2013 What is a ground cover that does not need mowing or a lot of water and survives in South Florida heat and is also native to the area? I would like to turn my lawn into a more natural self-sustaining a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dog wallowing in damp area in garden from Great Bend KS March 20, 2013 I Have a wet area in my back yard that is close to my house. and off my patio there is a water hydrant,gas meter, electrical for my hot tub, my sprinkler valves and pump all there. My dog digs throug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for silver ponyfoot from Temple TX March 19, 2013 Where can I purchase dichondra argentea -- I live in Bell Co. but am willing to come to Austin if need be. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade Tolerant Grasses and Groundcovers for Waco TX March 15, 2013 What is the best shade-tolerant grass? What is the best shade-tolerant ground cover? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to grow between patio pavers March 15, 2013 We'd like to use poured concrete pavers for a deck. What grows well, whether it be grass or other, between these. We'll have 4-6" between 4 foot pavers. And would love to find something that does... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for gravesite in Maryland March 13, 2013 I know this is very unusual question but here I go. I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and I am looking for a low ground cover for my grandparents grave. The soil is very sandy and I am looking... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for Boston MA March 12, 2013 We have a small back yard that gets great sun in spring before the leaves are fully back on the tall trees surrounding the perimeter, and then a lot of shade in summer. We have weird patchy grass and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Plants for under Oak Trees in LA. March 05, 2013 What type of plants and grass can be planted under and around oak trees View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for strip on street from Norfolk VA February 23, 2013 My house is on the east side of a north/south street. Between the curb and sidewalk is a strip about 3' wide, with two crepe myrtles spaced about 20' apart and a mix of sparse weeds and grass leavi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grass installation with plugs from Austin February 05, 2013 As much as I would love to use the seed mixture you suggest for Austin, I am not physically able to do the needed prep and was unable last year to get a professional. No one would even call me back wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating wood roaches from hardwood mulch from San Antonio TX February 05, 2013 How can I eliminate the numerous wood roaches in my hardwood mulch that I get for free from the city of San Antonio? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for vineyard from Round Rock, TX February 04, 2013 I will be planting a vineyard in the Hill Country next spring. I am looking to maintain low-growing understory plants across the entire vineyard to maintain soil health, choosing plants that the leaf... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Controlling slugs in a Pacific Northwest strawberry patch February 04, 2013 Would love to plant various varieties of strawberries on a bank for erosion control and ground cover. How can we keep the slugs at bay? We are in the the Pacific Northwest View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for Brooklyn, NY January 25, 2013 Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a fast growing ground cover for my Brooklyn, NY back yard. The area is nestled between 3 buildings and a fairly large tree, so most of the day its shady, but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
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