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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| Comments on article in Austin paper January 22, 2012 Why can't we comment on your piece in the Statesman? It says no comments possible at the bottom. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Changing the pH of the soil January 16, 2012 Hi, We have a job that has mostly Texas native plants on it. The architect is wanting to drop the pH levels of the soils to acidic levels that we don't feel is good for the plants and the area. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Help with Science Fair project from Danbury CT January 12, 2012 Hello Mr Smarty, I was going to do my science project on weevils and their impact on milfoil. The weevils are in hibernation until spring and my project is due in mid-Feb. Any suggestions on a simil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Allelopathy in Sassafras albidum January 11, 2012 Sassafras albidum description says "Sassafras is allelopathic and can discourage the growth of certain other plants within its root zone." My question is: WHICH plants are susce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Science Fair Question December 12, 2011 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I'm working on a project for the science fair and I need to find a plant that can survive in all climates in order for my experiment to work. What plant should I use? I hope ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Consumption of carbon dioxide from South Korea December 07, 2011 I am curious about what flowers consume CO2 for growing (especially 1-year life flower). Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between Styrax platanifolius and Styrax patanifolius ssp. texanus November 18, 2011 What is the difference between a Styrax platanifolius and a Styrax platanifolius texanus? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Spraying paint on White Pine tree trunks October 31, 2011 Is there a paint that is safe to spray on a tree trunk without damaging/killing the tree? We have White Pines that have ~16" spacing without limbs & would like to 'camouflage' the bare space. If pa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How can I distinguish Hibiscus laevis from Pavonia braziliensis in New Braunfels, TX? September 12, 2011 How can I distinguish Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf Hibiscus) from Pavonia braziliensis (Brazillian Rock Rose)? Earlier this year I was given the former by a friend and former NPSOT chap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Have invasive plants no useful purpose from Anchorage AK September 03, 2011 Does the definition of invasive plants include that the plant has no useful purpose? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dictionary of botanical names September 02, 2011 I am looking for an online resource that will tell me what the botanical names mean, for example, Cornus florida. Why is it named that? Surely somewhere there is information that explains the meanin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native North American bulbs August 19, 2011 I saw your list of 4 lilies native to the Northeastern United States, which was very helpful. What other bulbs are native to North America? Although I garden in Connecticut, I am interested in learn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A garlic plant with only one clove in Ft. Worth, TX? August 08, 2011 Is there a garlic that does not have cloves? I have been using what appears to be garlic from my garden and it is garlicy, hot and delicious. I have spent many hours online but cannot find this garlic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between Erigeron strigosus and E. annuus July 07, 2011 How can you tell the difference between Erigeron strigosus or Erigeron annuus. Does one have more flowers on it than the other? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Phlox divaricata evergreen? June 27, 2011 Is Phlox divaricata evergreen? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| East Texas Natives and Botanical History May 05, 2011 I am looking for flowers &/or flowering shrubs that are native to east Texas, especially that would have been in this area over 100 or more years ago. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What happens when plant shoot apex is removed from Nashville TN April 23, 2011 What happens to the plant when a shoot apex is removed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting a sweet potato in water in Duluth MN April 11, 2011 I am trying to start a sweet potato plant in water. I noticed 3 days after it's in water, there is white finger like(hairy) areas at the tip of the bottom of the potato and also on the sides. I have... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do Banana Plants Grow in Galveston, Texas? March 30, 2011 Do banana plants grow on Galveston island? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How is native range changed in the scientific record? March 28, 2011 I am accessioning Pachysandra procumbens for the Baker Arboretum. These plants were made from cuttings of a native stand here in Warren County (Western KY). How does the record get amended to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Half-life of the insecticide imidacloprid March 07, 2011 How long do systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid (Merit) remain active in nursery grown plants? Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed)is frequently grown with imidacloprid to prevent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will recent freezes delay wildflowers from Dripping Springs TX February 15, 2011 What effect will the recent freezing temperatures have on the Texas Hill Country Wildflowers? Will it delay blooming? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Use of native non-vascular plants from Pisgah Forest NC February 11, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Some of the smartest native plants around to use as horticultural choices don't require any chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides; tolerate extreme weather including ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Genetics of Anemone berlandieri flower colors December 01, 2010 Anemone heterophylla or Anemone berlandieri, Genetics. Is the variation in the flower color due to Genetic Incomplete dominance or Codominance? The same codominance seen in carnations. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Differences in Plant Growth November 28, 2010 How do plants grow differently? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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