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.
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?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
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Hybrid of Campsis radicans to attract hummingbirds February 06, 2008 Hello :) I am not new to gardening...just new with new varieties of plants/flowers. I tried to do my "homework" first before contacting you...so I do appreciate your time. Anyhoo, I'm developin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Xeriscape demonstration garden October 30, 2007 I am working with the city of Schertz to rejuvenate a xeriscape demonstration garden. We want to plant a hummingbird/butterfly garden using native plants. The current bed is currently overrun with ber... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants to attract butterflies October 18, 2007 I'm a Texas A&M Wildlife and Ecology student working with a landowner in Bastrop County, Texas. As part of their Habitat Management Plan, they are hoping to enhance butterfly habitat on their proper... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildlife benefit of western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) October 16, 2007 A neighbor and I are planting a nearby waste area. I'd like to plant things that will help any wildlife that's managed to survive, probably birds. I may be able to get Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Caterpillars on Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) September 29, 2007 I have a Carolina buckthorn and last year there were interesting looking caterpillars munching on the leaves. They were camouflaged to look a bit like bird droppings. The plant database makes no ment... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower meadow for Arkansas September 16, 2007 We want to create a 1/2-1 acre wildflower style "meadow" using native plants that we can naturalize. I found information for our area (Central Arkansas) on this website that is helpful, but I am als... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen plant with berries for wildlife September 16, 2007 We live in central Texas and I am attempting to plant for wildlife. Could you suggest an evergreen, approximately 3-4 feet tall, that would have berries for the birds in the Fall and winter? The pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants to attract bees for vegetable garden August 12, 2007 I'm looking for native plants that can help attract bees around my vegetable garden to help with pollination. What recommendations do you have? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Butterflies and larval hosts in Dallas County June 19, 2007 My class is starting a butterfly habitat at school. We have researched plants that attract butterflies, however we forgot to look for plants that feed the caterpillars and we want to provide the expe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildlife management tax exemption May 15, 2007 I live on 10 acres of prairie land near Austin. I want to learn about drying and pressing and gluing and preserving wildflowers as art in pictures and bookmarks and cards. My attempts have failed an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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