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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| topic | question | |
| Small drought-resistant shrub for northeast Texas June 23, 2009 I am replacing the formal hedge of hollies along the front of my house and was planning to use mostly Inidan Hawthornes, but now I'm reading that they are very prone to disease, are there any low gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub for pot in Manhattan June 23, 2009 What is the best evergreen shrub or waxy leaved woody evergeen plant to use in a large concrete container in front of a doorman building in manhattan. Our building faces west and is directly on Rivers... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-poisonous evergreen shrub for Houston playground June 19, 2009 I would like to know what type of small bush or shrub would be appropriate to plant in a children's playground in Houston, TX. It will be located in full sun. I would like it to retain its leaves yea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub that does not attract birds in Michigan June 17, 2009 Does a "Center Glow" ninebark have seeds? I want a shrub that does NOT attract birds! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Savannah Holly plants in Friendswood, TX. June 17, 2009 I have planted 4 savannah hollies in front of my house, two on the left of the door and two on the right. If you are standing in front of my house and looking at the door, the sun rises at the back l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How will my Texas Mountain Laurel survive clay soil? June 09, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants: I live in a new neighborhood (brownfield site) in Central Austin where the developers have put fill in the yards. After not much more than 2 inches of topsoil you encounter fairl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Colorful shrubs for Kansas June 02, 2009 I would like to plant some bushes or shrubs on the front side of our house which faces east. I would like them to grow 5' tall and provide beautiful color or blooms. What would be best for my locat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning of wax myrtle in St. Augustine FL May 30, 2009 How severely can we prune our wax myrtle? It had grown 10 feet tall and very spindly and we want it to be a border hedge in front of the preserve in back of our yard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Green Cloud purple sage in Buda TX May 30, 2009 I planted the "Green Cloud" variety of purple sage about 3 years ago. Yesterday, I noticed yellowish dots on the underside of the leaves of some plants. Is this harmful? The plants seem to be ok ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Further information on Melochia tomentosa in San Antonio May 29, 2009 Information in your database is limited for Melochia tomentosa. I would appreciate any further information you can provide such as requirements for sunlight, soils, water,etc. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for area near saltwater pool near Dallas May 25, 2009 Could you recommend perennial plants that would do well next to my saltwater pool just north of Dallas (Corinth) Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennial summer blooming plant for Livonia, MI May 22, 2009 I want to find a plant that I can cut back in the fall, will come back in the spring, flower throughout the summer, be a medium size plant, no taller than 48", about 36" in diameter. It would get f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dog-proof shrubs in Woodmere NY May 21, 2009 My chocolate lab thinks that shrubs are the same as "fetch" sticks..she's ripped out my azalea, rhododendron, andromeda and a few others I'm not sure of the names. She's a great pup (almost 1 yr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for full sun in Dallas Texas. May 20, 2009 What plants are best to use for full sun in Dallas Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native woodland plants for Benicia, California May 20, 2009 I am planting in raised beds around redwood trees, Japanese maples and rhododendrons in my backyard. I would like suggestions for native woodland plants to accompany my established plants. The area i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscape color for Rialto, CA May 11, 2009 My sister-in-law lives in Rialto CA near the base of the San Bernardino Mt ranges and it gets very windy out there. She and I were trying to figure out the best native plants for her area. Her home fa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs meeting homeowners assoc. requirements in Charlotte NC May 11, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am doing my darndest to establish a bird and bee friendly patch of earth here in Charlotte, NC, but I'm having a terrible time finding a shrub that matches my homeowners... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for Rindge, NH May 06, 2009 We are building a new house and I want to get shrubs/bushes that stay green all year long (ie:hollyberry)to put in front and around our house. Which of these would go closest to the house? I'd like t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardy shrub for Canton, MI May 06, 2009 I have an 8' x 8' area between my front walk and driveway. I am interested in filling up the space (especially in height) with a shrub or tree. This area gets a lot of wind in the cold MI winter,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifcation of strange orange growth on shrubs May 04, 2009 I have found a strange orange ball shape with softer spikes about 1-2 in. growing from it on my shrubs, they grow around the branch. I believe they are Yews. I have never seen them before but now ther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Older leaves yellowing on Savannah holly in Dallas May 01, 2009 I planted a Savannah Holly in Dallas, TX in the Fall of 2008. It has new growth and some white buds all over it, but some of the older leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Is this normal? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low maintenance replacement garden in Ashburn , VA April 30, 2009 We live in Ashburn, VA (Northern VA). Our house is 10 years old and the contractor grade plants have died. We are planning on digging everything up and re-doing the landscaping in our front yard - r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native trees or shrubs for privacy in Tonkawa, OK April 30, 2009 I live in North Central Oklahoma and I want to plant trees or shrubs along 100 ft of creek to create privacy. I would like them to grow at least 15 to 20 ft tall. What would you recommend for this l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shelf life of hawthorn leaves in Florissant, MO April 30, 2009 I have a bag of hawthorn leaves that were harvested in 2007. Do you know if they're still effective? How long is the shelf life of hawthorn leaves? Thank you for your assistance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Foundation garden in shade in Durham, NC April 29, 2009 I'm trying to replant a 3'x8' garden near the foundation of our house in Durham, NC. This part of the yard gets little, if any, sun and is mostly clay. I've tried adding compost and soil conditi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon April 28, 2009 I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of Northern honeysuckle bush April 26, 2009 I have a honeysuckle bush, I have had it for about year to two years. I would like to know if I should cut the brown parts off. There are some vines that do not look good, but some of the branches ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native replacement for Mexican heather in Llano, TX April 24, 2009 Please suggest a native or adaptable alternative plant for Mexican Heather. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Twisted hibiscus tree in Plainfield, IN April 24, 2009 I have just bought 4 twisted hibiscus trees and repotted them immediately then brought them into my screened in porch until I was certain the weather would be safe to keep them outside (I live in Cent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on yaupon in Ft. Worth April 23, 2009 I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly in January in full sun. It is blooming little white flowers right now for spring, but a lot of leaves are turning yellow. Do you know what is causing this? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen native shrubs in Long Island, NY April 17, 2009 I would like to plant evergreen bushes (or trees)against my house facing north with no sun and growing no taller than 4 feet high. Any suggestions? I live in Coram, Long Island, New York View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Heirloom plants for Gault Homestead in Austin April 15, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, The Gault Homestead at 2106 Klattenhoff in the middle of Wells Branch Subdivision is to be planted with heirloom or heritage plants soon. There is some sun for the planter bo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Combining native shrubs for hedge in Austin April 15, 2009 Smarty, Please tell me what the definitions are for all the various water, soil moisture, drainage and light requirements mean. Are the definitions global? I live in Central East Austin and inten... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Short evergreen shrub for Virginia April 10, 2009 I have been looking everywhere for an evergreen shrub that is 3-4 ft. in height, non-poisonous to humans, and that thrives in zone 7 to no avail. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID and pruning in Portage IN April 09, 2009 I'm looking for information on trimming a bush about 6 feet in diameter with orange horns in bloom and its name. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge for Austin April 09, 2009 Hi. I live in West Austin and am having trouble finding plants for our heavily shaded yard (thanks to our beautiful large live oaks). I love glossy, dark green leaves and big flowers. I love the came... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for full sun in Austin April 03, 2009 I am looking for a tough, native TX plant to put in full sun location between the sidewalk and street. I would love for it to flower all summer. There is some irrigation but not much. I don't want ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for near a salt water swimming pool April 01, 2009 I need some suggestions of plants that will grow next to a public salt water swimming pool, located in Bossier City, Louisiana View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs or trees for privacy shield in Cross Plains TX March 31, 2009 I'm looking for a small tree or large bush that will stay green year round to use for a privacy shield. We have electrical lines overhead so I need to keep it a low growing tree or bush that will he... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning a mock orange in Charleston WV March 30, 2009 How far back and when do I prune a "Mock Orange" in order to get it to bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blue rug juniper native to New Hampshire March 29, 2009 Is the blue rug juniper native to New Hampshire? I'm considering it for ground cover near lake in zip 03872. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with red tip photinia in San Antonio March 29, 2009 I have a red tip photinia that's about 20 years old and about 20 feet high--it is big! I noticed last summer the highest leaves looked droopy all the time even with deep watering and now that portion... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs for wildlife santuary in Georgia March 27, 2009 We live south of Atlanta, GA and are trying to have our backyard certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Can you suggest native shrubs that thrive in partial sun, are habitats for bird and are deer resist... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a creek bank in Northern Illinois March 26, 2009 Hello. I live in Northern Illinois. The creek (northern exposure in a wooded area) on the back of my property has bare muddy banks and is subject to seasonal floods. I want to plant something hardy t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for shrubs for a 150ft. barrier. March 25, 2009 What do you suggest for planting 150' site barrier only 15' high western Idaho? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant for full sun behind waterfall March 21, 2009 I have a 24 inch waterfall around my pool. I need to plant something behind it. I have full sun and hot Texas weather. I will be watering everyday, so what do you think would grow well in this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Living fence to contain sheep in Indiana March 19, 2009 I would like to plant a living fence that would also contain sheep. I have researched this but I cannot find a definite list of trees or shrubs to use. Do you have any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for northern exposure in Wichita, KS March 17, 2009 What are good plants for the north side of the house with acidic soil in Zone 6, Wichita, KS? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow leaves on non-native pittisporum in Wharton TX March 17, 2009 Green pittisporum that I planted 2 years ago and 1 year ago are getting a lot of yellow leaves. Variegated pittisporum that I planted at the same 2 times are doing fine. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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