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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| ID for Caribbean mystery plants. January 13, 2016 I AM TRYING TO FIND THE COMMON NAME FOR TWO FLOWERS I TOOK PICTURES OF ON A CARIBBEAN CRUISE. I TOOK ONE IN HONDURAS AND ONE IN GRAND CAYMAN. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE I CAN GO TO TO GET HELP IN ID... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How many seeds in a Balsam Gourd fruit? January 12, 2016 How many seeds should I expect to find inside the fruit of Ibervillea Londoners? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can a dog die from eating a holly bush? January 12, 2016 Can a dog die from eating a holly bush? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? December 27, 2015 What is the name of the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? I am familiar with amour honeysuckle, and I'm sure that it is not that. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Perennials for Sandy Shade in California December 17, 2015 Are there any native perennials that would do well in sandy shade? I have a difficult corner in my garden that does not get much sun. The soil is sandy though I have added some amount of compost to en... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-Toxic Hedge for Wisconsin December 17, 2015 What would be a good non-toxic for dogs, privacy hedge about 3-6 feet tall for Wisconsin climate zone 4b? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs for Birds and Bees in North Texas December 17, 2015 I have a small backyard and would love to grow native plants for North Texas. I don't think I can grow trees, but for sure can do 1-2 crape myrtle-size shrubs. I have some rose of Sharon's going on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard December 17, 2015 I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pin Oak Dropping Leaves Early December 17, 2015 I have a large pin oak that's losing it's leaves at this time. Is this too early? I have been watering the tree during the hot, dry weather and overall the tree looks healthy and has a good crop of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Native Cactus Indoors in Dallas December 17, 2015 I have a Chihuahuan fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus uncinatus), a pincushion cactus (Epithelantha micromeris) and a horse crippler (Echinocactus texensis), which I bring in for the winter, since they te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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