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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| Alternatives for non-native, invasive Dianthus spp. July 02, 2006 We're landscaping our 1963 ranch house in Austin, and we're trying to balance low water and wildscape concerns. Being just across the street from Shoal Creek means we're staying away from anything ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Mandevilla July 01, 2006 I have purchased 2 Red Riding Hood Mandevilla's. The tag on it says it blooms spring to frost, full sun, ave size is 8 feet tall & spreading. I live in the Tampa FL area. Does this plant grow as a sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, invasive Arctium minus in New York June 13, 2006 For as long as I can remember, my family has been picking and eating a wild plant which we and other Italian families call " cardoons". I've often heard to it referred to burdock but no one knows t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant of non-native Lathyrus tuberosus in North Carolina June 13, 2006 I have a tuberous sweetpea vine that grows wild on our property. When would be a good time to move this plant to a better location? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best vegetables to grow in San Antonio June 06, 2006 What vegtables are the safest bet for growing in San Antonio? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum June 03, 2006 I have a white lily that is in a pot and has already bloomed four flowers. will it bloom again? Can I replant this outside right now or what should I do with it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Height of non-native gardenias May 29, 2006 How tall does a gardenia tree get? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Inadvisability of allowing native orchids to cross-breed May 17, 2006 Hello LBJ Native plants helper! This is the perfect place for me to ask a question that has been very perplexing to me. I live in Northern California and am doing research for naturalization of the te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive, non-native Paulownia May 03, 2006 Hi. We would like to plant a fast growing tree that will provide shade for our house. What do you think of the Paulownia tree (Empress Tree) as a possibility for the Austin area? If this is not a g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting of non-native Vitex April 29, 2006 I live in El Paso and have a fifteen year old vitex tree planted too close to a mesquite tree in my backyard. As a result of this, the vitex has failed to thrive. My question is this: can I replant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Sandankwa viburnum (Viburnum suspensum) damaged by freeze April 16, 2006 We live in Georgetown. My Sandankwa Viburnum seem to have been affected by the late freeze. There are now very few leaves and no flowers/buds. Should I cut the plants back, leave them alone, or giv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on care and transplant of non-native Bamboo in North Carolina April 15, 2006 I am considering transplanting some bamboo from my backyard to my side yard in Northern Randolph County, Central Piedmont, North Carolina. Could you offer me any pointers on a direct ground to gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, non-invasive Thunbergia alata March 30, 2006 I'm trying to find the proper name for Climbing Blackeyed Susan, or Blackeyed Susan Vine. We had one on a trellis and it was beautiful, but I'm told that it is an undesirable weed. Any info apprec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native alternatives for non-native, invasive bamboo in New York March 26, 2006 I hope you can help me. This is not about wildflowers. I'm interested in planting bamboo as a screen (25'+). I know all the pros/cons and would need to have a nursery to put in barrier. I need some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of non-native Nothoscordum borbonicum in Louisiana March 26, 2006 There were some small white flowers that grow everywhere in Shreveport and probably elsewhere. Mother called them Crows Feet. I see them if I am home in the Springtime, smell them too. Is Crow's foot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibly escaped non-native Buddleja davidii in Missouri March 15, 2006 About 3 years ago my wife and I were traveling thru southeastern Missouri and stopped at a road side rest station on Interstate 44. While we were there we noticed a shrub about 4 to 5 feet tall with p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Cape Honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis March 13, 2006 I am trying to find general information on the Cape Honeysuckle or "Tecomaria" bush/plant. Is is related to the actual Honeysuckle Plant? What is it's care, propogation, sun tolerance, water requ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems getting desert western US plant Stanleya pinnata to bloom in England March 13, 2006 I am having trouble getting my Princes plume (Stanleya pinnata) to produce a flower and then go to seed. Do you have any advice on triggering flowering in this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Mandevilla care March 08, 2006 I have a mandevilla and it looks like there are about 5 plants in one pot. Can it be separated without killing it? And, if it can be separated how should it be done? The plant is about 7" high and i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locating toxic, non-native, invasive Castor Bean seeds March 04, 2006 Where do I find castor bean seeds? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native, invasive Bauhinia variegata March 03, 2006 I live in Fellsmere just south of Melbourne and we have about 5 orchid trees on our property; one is fairly tall, about 20 ft, and the others are about 6 ft tall. My smaller ones have several air p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Many different species called February 07, 2006 I know from researching that Dusty Miller is drought tolerant. But, I tend to water too much when I do get irrigation water. Will it stand this? (clay soil, near a very young globe willow, southern ex... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cultivation of non=native Brugmansia sanquinea January 04, 2006 I have had an Angel Trumpet since spring 2004, I keep it indoors in about 5 hours of sun a day. It is about 5 feet tall and was loaded with leaves. At Christmas time I had to move it from the front wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native acacias for Washington State January 03, 2006 Hello! I have been unable to find any sources for the seed of Prairie Acacia, Acacia angustissima var hirta. Var angustissima, from tropical America, is in cultivation, but I think it is tender to col... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardiness of non-native Lycium barbarum for Saschatewan December 19, 2005 Lycium barbarnum. What is its hardiness and where can it be grown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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