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?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| 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 | ||
| topic | question | |