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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| Yellow bands around edges of leaves in Whitney TX July 20, 2009 How can you tell whether esperanzas are getting too much water or not enough - ours have a small yellow band around the edges of the leaves - crape myrtles - same question View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungus gnats on house plant in Edwardsville IL July 16, 2009 I recently purchased a Trailing Perennial Plant, and I am seeing a lot of gnats flying in my house. Could this be the problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to care for newly transplanted Live Oak. July 02, 2009 I planted 3 B & B, 6" caliper live oaks in February and they lost most of their leaves during the normal time but when the new leaves grew back the amount of leaves were quite a bit less. I have th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants around swimming pool June 23, 2009 What kind of plants can I plant around my swimming pool and will not be harmed by the chemicals of the pool? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are the leaves of my century plants yellowing? June 22, 2009 I am taking care of the Agaves (century plants) for my condo community here in Austin. They are planted in 18" or 20" pots. A couple of the plants have leaves that are yellowing around the bottom.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trailing snapdragon hanging basket has flowers that are turning brown. June 09, 2009 Trailing snapdragon hanging basket in yellow, flowers are turning brown all over the plant. Why? I water every day as told & fertilized once in 3 weeks. It was so beautiful. 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 | ||
| Topmost leaves on yucca are brown June 08, 2009 I live in the Lansing, Michigan area, in the lower peninsula and have a couple yuccas whose topmost leaves are brown emerging from winter. Do I prune those, or has the plant died? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with tomatoes in tubs in Campbellton, TX May 30, 2009 I have my tomatoes planted in big black plastic tubs, they are starting to wilt and dry up. I have put Sevin dust on them for bugs. I haven't been over watering. Could you please tell me why they are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with Salvia Mystic Spires in Chesterfield VA May 30, 2009 Last August, our local Lowes had these beautiful, unusual blue perennials on the discount rack called "Salvia Mystic Spires". For 50 cents each, they looked terrific, so I bought all they had, about... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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