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 | |
| Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit? December 10, 2015 In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Evergreen Sumac December 09, 2015 I would like to transplant evergreen sumac from my back to the front yard. They are about 6-8 foot tall. I live in El Paso, TX and it gets plenty of sunlight. I am wondering 1) Is November in El Paso,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Chile Pequin Indoors December 09, 2015 About a year ago I visited your page and as a result I planted 8 seeds in spring 2015 from a large Chile Pequin plant that came up wild in my Cedar Park home near Austin. The last harvest was late su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When to Plant Texas Wisteria? December 09, 2015 When is the best time to plant Texas Wisteria, Fall or Spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Decreasing the Height of Smooth Sumac December 09, 2015 I have a 9-10 ft. Smooth Sumac that I purchased from an LJWC plant sale several years ago. It has a main trunk and one branch about halfway up. I have read that these sumacs can be pruned down to almo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dividing Hesperaloe December 09, 2015 How and when can I successfully separate a clump of Hesperaloe Parviflora into smaller bunches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic trees for cattle, horses and swine in Washington state. December 04, 2015 What non-toxic trees can be planted in cattle pastures in Central Washington? We also have horses and swine on the property. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Causes of death to Papershell pinion pine (Pinus remota)? December 03, 2015 Good afternoon. I did my best to review the site and have not found a comparable question - apologies if I have missed something. I own property equidistant between Leakey and Campwood off of HWY 33... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets for Upstate New York December 03, 2015 Will Texas Bluebonnet seeds germinate and flourish in Upstate NY? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Avoiding insect bites while gardening in Kansas December 03, 2015 I recently moved into Mission, Kansas(Johnson County). Every time I go do any yard work I get a couple of insect bite looking spots on body. They are somewhat painful and very itchy. One of them got i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| ID for two flowers blooming in November in Buda TX November 29, 2015 two different plants growing in my wild area. 1. springs of tiny yellow flowers atop almost foot tall woody stem. 2. Clump of tiny near white bud like flowers. clump about 6 to 8 inches across on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Choosing the right Coreopsis species for Tennessee November 28, 2015 I live in Bristol Tennessee and have replaced most of my lawn with native plants. I have been trying to learn more about the Coreopsis genus. In TN, we have C. auriculata, grandiflora, lanceolata, m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hillside Groundcovers for Pollinating Insects in Wisconsin November 28, 2015 I am looking for native plants for a project around Hudson, Wisconsin. We are to choose native plants to be seeded next spring 2016. They are to be planted on a hillside under and around solar panels ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade, Heat, Drought and Acidic Soil Tolerant Perennials for Las Vegas? November 28, 2015 What can I grow under my pine trees that is shade and heat (and acidity) tolerant? I live in Las Vegas, NV and would like perennials to plant under my pine trees. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion Control Shrubs and Groundcovers for Steep NY Wooded Slope November 28, 2015 I need to cover a couple of very steep slopes in upstate New York that are partially wooded and near a brook. The slopes are about 130 feet back from the brook. Someone estimated that there is a coupl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagating Bauhinia lunarioides November 28, 2015 For a Master Gardener Intern project I am attempting to propagate the native orchid tree/Anacacho, Bauhinia lunarioides via root, cuttings, and seed. I have scarified the seeds - how long should it ta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vines for a Chicago Pergola in Zone 5 November 28, 2015 I'm looking for some recommendations of vines for my south-facing pergola. I live in a northwest suburb of Chicago, in Zone 5 with heavy clay soil. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Colorful Maples for Virginia and Pennsylvania November 27, 2015 We are trying to find out which trees have three or more leaf colors in the fall in Virginia and/or Pennsylvania. We found that Sweetgum and some maples do. Can you please let us know which maples hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is blooming in NJ in Late November? November 27, 2015 I am a beekeeper in Edison, NJ. My bees are still bringing pollen even this late in the season (Thanksgiving). What plants or trees are still blooming? The color of the pollen is a pale yellow. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen screening tree for Wichita Falls TX November 25, 2015 Recommendations for a screen plant. Dry. full sun. 20 to 30 ft.high. evergreen. Wichita Falls, TX location. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Website with map showing occurence of species November 25, 2015 Hello and thank you so much for this amazing site and all the information you provide. Recently after reading about some really neat species on here I ended up surfing the net for pictures and somehow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of Verbesina occidentalis (Yellow crownbeard) in Burnet County TX November 23, 2015 Looked up (small) yellow crownbeard..yellow, no description or pic. Csn you tell me if this is what is in this pic? THX! Can't insert a pic to say y/n. 😟it's in Burnet, Co..SE of Marble Fal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to get Poison Ivy? November 22, 2015 I know this is a silly question but we have a lot of poison ivy in the area and I know that birds eat the seeds and berries, can you get poison ivy from bird poop or track it in the house? From shoes ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Containing Japanese Wisteria Roots November 22, 2015 I have some Japanese wisteria plants that I would like to plant inside root barriers but I cannot find any info on how deep the roots go. Do you know if a 2 ft deep root barrier for trees can contain ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Pacific dogwood November 21, 2015 When do I plant Pacific dogwood seeds? How deep and far apart should they be planted? The elevation will be around 5k. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Should Mexican milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) not be used to attract Monarch butterflies? November 20, 2015 Should I remove Asclepias curassavica (Mexican milkweed) in my garden for threat of OE parasitic protozoan threat to Monarch butterflies? Is this threat as widespread as Chronicle implies? I had great... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of Bidens aristosa (Tickseed sunflower) in Texas November 20, 2015 I think the ID of the plant I submitted a description of yesterday is Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens aristosa). Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Thorn bushes for a fence in Puerto Rico November 17, 2015 I'm looking for thorn bushes that grow in Puerto Rico. Want to use as fence to keep wild life in. Thanks, at least 5 ft tall so dogs can't get out. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Spriranthes sp. blooming on rocky hilltop November 13, 2015 I am not sure if my previous question went thru, so I am submitting it again. How unusual is it to find a few blooming specimens of Spiranthes sp. on a rocky hilltop west of Loop 360 near Bee Caves R... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Texas grapes November 11, 2015 What is the best way to propagate wild Texas grapes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Poison ivy always rooted in the ground? November 11, 2015 Does Poison ivy on a tree always start at the ground and climb up the tree or can it start producing its vine and leaves by itself at the top of the tree or middle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Competition between peony and bulbs November 06, 2015 I am planting 3 herbaceous peony bare roots 3 feet apart from each other. I am told it will take 3 years before I get blooms. In the meantime, can i safely plant springtime flowering bulbs in th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Improving Bluebonnet seed contact with soil November 06, 2015 I have a five acre field in Blanco County, much of which is covered by bluebonnets. There are several species of native grasses as well. Would it be beneficial to disk or otherwise disturb the soil ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is the difference between indigenous and native? November 03, 2015 What is the difference between indigenous and native? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A good Amelanchier (Serviceberry) for Brooklyn, NY. November 03, 2015 I am looking to purchase an Amelanchier to plant in Brooklyn this month. Would you know which variety works best in a small garden and also is it too late to plant. Mainly, I am looking for someone wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for a Texas dog run November 02, 2015 What ground cover do you recommend for a residential dog run located under a pergola in high limestone soil at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Origin of the plant name Soft greeneyes (Berlandiera pumila) November 02, 2015 What feature of Berlandiera pumila accounts for its popular name Soft Greeneyes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Straggler Daisy as a Groundcover in Salado, TX October 30, 2015 I've identified Straggler Daisy or Horseherb as the plant to cover my 20 x 40 partly shady partly sunny lot. Could you provide me with the best method for starting and growing the plant to ensure it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is the black stuff growing on my thoroughwort? October 27, 2015 What is the black stuff on my thoroughwort plant's leaves that is killing the plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Precautions regarding pruning live oaks in the Austin area. October 27, 2015 Is it still recommended that we clean pruning shears and spray wounds when pruning live oaks in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Making a raised garden bed in Texas October 25, 2015 I just bought a house in Ft Worth Texas and the soil is undisturbed red clay. I was told I probably would need to build a raised bed to make a 25 ft by 4-6 ft butterfly/humming bird/bee native flower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub for Austin TX shade October 24, 2015 I live in Austin, TX. I'm looking for a 4 season shrub for a partially shaded area that gets about 3 hours of sun towards the evening. It's mostly partially shaded. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Mexican feathergrass October 24, 2015 I live in Austin. I've recently seen negative comments re: Mexican feathergrass. Is it native to this area? Is it becoming a problem? I have had it in my yard for years and never considered it a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Osage Orange in Caliche in Austin October 23, 2015 Does Osage Orange tree grow in caliche? Do nurseries carry it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflowers to complement Mexican hat in Texas October 22, 2015 We have 10 acres in Driftwood that has Mexican Hat pretty much everywhere that is not shaded. We are looking to add additional wildflowers to them in order to have color earlier and later in the seas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer eating Non-native Asiatic Jasmine in Georgetown, TX October 22, 2015 Is there a spray or granular material that will prevent deer from eating asiatic jasmine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Creekside Groundcover for Upstate New York October 22, 2015 I live in Upstate New York in Rochester. Our winters can have lows of -10 at night at times. I have 1,300 linear feet of creekside land that seniors can view from their homes. Because of the brush, it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Food Allergy to Beautyberry or Persimmon? October 22, 2015 I think I might have a food allergy to Beautyberry or American Persimmon, eaten Saturday at the North Carolina Great Dismal park. These were the only strange foods recently, though I've had persimmo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Do Delphiniums Transfer Toxins to Strawberries? October 22, 2015 Is it safe to eat strawberries grown beside delphiniums? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Iva Angustifolia Salt Tolerant? October 22, 2015 I was wondering about the salt tolerance of narrow-leaf sumpweed (Iva angustifolia). It is the predominant species on a disturbed site in Haynesville, LA where brine contamination is in question. Un... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| topic | question | |