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 | |
| Looking for a specimen shade tree in San Rafael, CA June 04, 2013 I'm looking for a specimen shade tree that can get 30'x30', that doesn't drop a bunch of crud (seeds, etc) on the patio (leaves are ok), medium to low water requirement, roots are behaved, zone 9,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for September wedding from Licking MO June 02, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am getting married this September in Licking Missouri back in the woods on my dads land. I would like to have wildflowers for the bouquets and reception decor. Can I get some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Would like a small tree for yard in Las Vegas, NV. May 31, 2013 would like a small tree with root system that grows down not spread on surface. Had raywood and medesto ash tree both died of desease. Diagnosed by arborist. Stated that these trees to big for my yard... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves on new water oak turning brown from Matagorda TX May 30, 2013 We had water oaks planted in January when they had no leaves. Leaves came on but are now turning brown. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for a replacement tree for Hackberry tree in Austin, TX in Austin TX. May 25, 2013 We have a large hackberry tree in our front yard. We are cutting it down this fall. I would like to replace it with a tree native to this area..preferably something fast growing. What are your reco... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Texas Persimmon in enclosed planter from San Angelo TX May 23, 2013 I want to plant a Texas Persimmon (in West Texas) in an enclosed planter 4' X 4' X 2.5' deep. What would be a good planting medium. Does it need to be deeper? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought resistant small tree for Ft. Worth TX May 22, 2013 I am looking for suggestions for a small tree (no more than 25 feet max)that is drought resistant but can handle a little irrigation and a lot of wind. Something showy is a plus. Grouped with salvias ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rock under space for Bigtooth Maple in San Antonio May 20, 2013 I just got a 10 gallon Bigtooth Maple in Medina TX for my home outside loop 1604 in San Antonio. I hit rock about 7 inches in when trying to plant it..I am entertaining the idea for a raised bed to le... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting and care of Desert Willow in Golden Valley, AZ. May 17, 2013 I got a desert willow to plant in yard. Some of the leaves dried out before I could plant. Will that stop the tree from growing into a decent size tree or stay as a shrub? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native petunias from Hodgeville, KY May 12, 2013 Planting petunias again in a house border bed.. It has been a tradition for 30+ years to plant the small upright petunias in this particular bed. It started as a Mothers Day gift to my Grandmother, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Selecting a tree for a backyard in San Antonio, TX May 11, 2013 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently moved into a home in West San Antonio right outside Loop 1604..my treeless backyard is fairly small at about 55 ft long and 15 ft wide. I am torn because I can't ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Root ball disintegrating on Arroyo sweetwood from Dripping Springs TX May 11, 2013 I just purchased a arroyo sweetwood in a 5 gallon container and when I went to put it in the ground the root ball completely fell apart. I put it in the ground and watered it really good. What are its... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will buffalograss thrive in Ada OK? May 08, 2013 Would buffalo grass thrive in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, where my sandy loamie soil struggles with summer droughts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowers under pine trees from Elkhart Indiana May 02, 2013 I have a number of pine trees at the back of my lot and would like to plant flowers under the tree. What can I plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflowers for October wedding from Rockford AL April 26, 2013 Want to plant wildflowers that will bloom in early October in central Alabama for a wedding. Can you give me any suggestions ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Blackfoot Daisy from Lewisville, TX April 23, 2013 I planted a row of Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot Daisy) last spring at the front of the front yard, next to the sidewalk. It's full sun, east facing, unamended black clay gumbo soil. I put mulc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Anacacho orchid not leafing out in Georgetown TX April 18, 2013 February 2012 I planted 2 4-ft anacacho orchids which did well. This spring, they have yet to leaf out or even bud. There is green, however, when I scratch the stems and some suckers at the bottom of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Space between trees from Blythewood SC April 05, 2013 I'm planting 4 green giants in a back corner of my yard. I also have a kumquat tree to plant. I have somewhat limited space. What is the minimum spacing between the four green giants and the green gi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Slow development in Shumard Oak from Porter TX April 02, 2013 We had two Shumard Oaks Planted in Sept of last year (2012). About a month later, they started browning and dropping their leaves (no color change). Now I noticed on one of the trees the buds have sta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting petunias around base of oak tree from Houma LA March 30, 2013 I live in south Louisiana and I want to plant petunias. Can I plant petunias around the base of an oak tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problem with Live Oaks in Mesa AZ March 26, 2013 I have two Evergreen Live Oaks in central Arizona. One is flourishing and getting new spring leaves from top to bottom. Its trunk is rough, has large grooves, and the spots where I've pruned look li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Schedule for planting perennial wildflowers from Asheville NC March 22, 2013 When is the best time to plant perennial wildflowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for maple tree lost in Hurricane Sandy from Hauppauge NY March 17, 2013 Lost a Maple street tree in Hurricane Sandy, was forty-eight years old. Town will not replace the tree. Must do it on my own. What would you suggest? Nothing that grows too tall. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree roots under concrete from Ft. Worth TX February 10, 2013 We bought a house that has 2 trees (I believe ornamental pear trees) within a concrete patio. I found info that said basically, remove the concrete. We can't do that now (although I have encouraged... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vegetables to plant now from Marble Falls TX January 28, 2013 What are the best vegetables to plant now? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |