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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Can I grow wild rice in green house conditions? November 17, 2010 Can I grow Zizania aquatica (wild rice) in green house conditions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do yuccas die after blooming? October 11, 2010 We have a blue yucca which was planted 2 years ago and is just now blooming with a tower of white flowers. Will the entire plant die after blooming as the century plants do? If so, is there a way to s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cold hardiness zones for plants from Jackson MS October 02, 2010 How to search the plant database by cold-hardiness zone? Is it possible to do combination search by zone (not just state?) With the information provided with plant, I do not see the zone listed. Ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Compare Natives to Lawn for Carbon Footprint Benefits in Durham, New Hampshire September 22, 2010 Are there carbon sequestration rate tables for turf (lawn) and bushes, shrubs, trees? I want to compare the carbon footprint benefit of lawn versus the same area put into native plantings. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oils/paraffins in sea oats September 04, 2010 Do Sea Oats produce oils/paraffins? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| History of hybrid Hibiscus Davis Creek from Cary NC August 22, 2010 Re: Hibiscus Davis Creek. Can you tell me this hybrid's history? H. coccineus H. militaris perhaps? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What does spp. stand for in Paspalum spp? From Arlington, TX. August 11, 2010 What does the spp stand for when talking about Paspalum spp? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Clarification for botanical (Latin) names for Herbertia June 17, 2010 I am looking for a clarification of scientific names. In the classic wildflower book 'Wildflowers of Texas' the author, Geyata Ajilvsgi, attributes the plant Herbertia with the name Alophia drummon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wild Native Hybrids and Cultivars? June 14, 2010 It is my understanding that hybrids can occur with or without human intervention whereas cultivars always involve human intervention. Strictly speaking does this mean native wildflowers can never be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Burn the wetlands June 02, 2010 Can the wetlands of Louisiana that have been soaked in oil be burned? I am a native plant gardener in the midwest. Burning is a natural process in the prairie. Southerners are not used to this and ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Albinism in plants. May 16, 2010 Greetings, I was wondering what you know of albinism in plants? I know I've found a few articles about it online. I discovered my only albino plant last summer. It was an albino dogbane plant grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trillium phototropism May 16, 2010 I'm SURE you haven't had this question before. I live in northern Michigan in a wooded subdivision where we have clouds of wild grandiflorum trilliums growing in the woods on either side of the roa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How do Venus flytraps really work? May 13, 2010 How do venus flytraps *really* work? I've read it has something to do with the hairs in their "mouth," but is there a chemical reaction going on? A physical "trigger"? Help me understand the Venu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Project on natives in Connecticut from Chino CA April 13, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, My 10 yr. old daughter is doing a project on Ct., and would like to know what the most common plants, trees and flowers are found in this state. A few of each would be a great ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why is my 3 year old Redbud not flowering in San Marcos, TX? March 24, 2010 My Cercis canadensis var. mexicana, purchased at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, is 3 years old, very robust, but has never bloomed. Any explanation? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flower color in shooting stars (Dodecatheon meadia) February 25, 2010 Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia) come in the colors white, lavender and purple in the eastern U.S. Is this just genetic variability or does soil chemistry affect the flower color? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to determine the gender of wax myrtles from the WFC? February 08, 2010 Mr.Smarty Plants, have the wax myrtles that are up for sale at the Center's Spring Plant sale been sexed? I need a male plant. How can the sex be determined when the plant is young? Or can it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Consequences of overwatering plants February 05, 2010 Explain how an error on the high side when watering would affect soil fertility management, IPM efforts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of strange tiny creature in plant water January 14, 2010 I have a house plant rooted in water. I has been for over a year and the plant seems healthy, I change the water often and keep it clean. I now have noticed that something is growing it. A fish type o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does music affect sunflower growth from Pentwater MI January 12, 2010 Does music affect sunflower growth? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant for science experiment from Kentfield CA November 10, 2009 What is a fast growing plant I should use for a science experiment? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| USDA Hardiness Zone of Rancho Bernardo, CA October 01, 2009 What plant zone is Poway, Rancho Bernardo CA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disappearing sunlight in Phoenix, AZ September 29, 2009 I live in a condo in Phoenix, AZ with a north facing patio that goes out about 10 feet and is 20 feet wide. During the summer months there is a span of 1 foot in the front that goes the 20 foot length... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are freshwater sponges poisonous if eaten by a dog? September 25, 2009 Are freshwater sponges, native to Missouri, poisonous if eaten by a dog? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Groups September 22, 2009 What are ways to group plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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