Native Plants
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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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| Spanish Dagger plant interfering with walkway in Ingram TX April 09, 2010 I have a Spanish Dagger that is now 8 feet tall and about to fall over in a walkway. Due to the danger of these very sharp tips I need to either cut down the plant or try to root in and replant. If ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming freeze-damaged Agave Americana in Alvarado TX April 08, 2010 What is the best way to trim Agave Americana cactus? The freeze this winter when it snowed has caused the leaves to die towards the bottom of the plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eradicating cactus in Palo Pinto County, TX March 30, 2010 I live on a ranch in Palo Pinto County and would like to know how can I get rid of wild cactus. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What to do about cold damage to spineless prickly pear? March 05, 2010 In Austin, Texas our 'spineless' prickly pear cactus is about 6' wide by 4' tall. In the last severe freeze, the top half flattened out and has remained that way. Should I cut the flattened pads o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Central Texas plant to grow in cavity in cedar (Juniperus ashei) February 27, 2010 Is there a CenTX native that would be happy in a one-gallon cavity in a Cedar tree? I'd like to disguise an amputated limb. I'd consider a Bromeliad or Staghorn fern, but would prefer a native. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replanting a blue agave in Rio Rancho NM January 11, 2010 I have acquired a Blue Agave, approximately 4-5 ft high. It still appears quite healthy. It was used over the holiday season for display purposes in a liquor store. Unfortunately, the root ball has be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Potted crown of thorns cactus cold tolerance in Marble Falls, TX December 02, 2009 I have a large potted crown-of-thorns cactus. Can it remain outside this winter in the Texas Hill Country? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does the tip of the agave contain poison from Denham Spring LA December 02, 2009 I bent over to pick something up and got stabbed in the head with the point of a agave plant. It is about 15 years old and I measured the point-it is right at an inch long. My head did bleed and it bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Agave americana in Comfort TX November 09, 2009 We have lost a huge agave americana and are not able to find out what to do for our others. The one we lost was rotted or eaten (beetles?) at the base and the whole thing just fell over. We have a l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will a cut back yucca grow back in Lockbourne OH? October 28, 2009 I live in Ohio and recently I cut back all my plants to prepare for winter. I am wondering if my Yuccas will grow back. I cut them to ground level so only a little bit of the leaf is showing. I was... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of pups from Century Plant after blooming in Prairieville LA October 03, 2009 Will the main part of the century plant always die after it grows a stalk? I have babies coming off the base and need to know if I should separate them to keep them alive. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting agave in Austin September 22, 2009 I have an 8 foot tall agave (americana?) planted in my front yard. It has been there quite happily for over 20 years. How would I go about transplanting this to another location? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Moving Century plants in Norwalk CA September 15, 2009 I have two large Century plants that are each 10 1/2 years old. One is 4'x5' tall and wide with about 8-10 small shoots. The smaller in about 3 1/2'x 5' with about 6 shoots. They've grown too l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Plants for erosion control in Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2009 I have a terraced high side lot(front of house). I currently have Yuccas growing, but they are too invasive. Can you suggest plants, shrubs, or ground covers that are not as invasive and will still ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to prune Opuntia ellisiana in Decatur, GA. August 20, 2009 Hi Mr SP--How do I go about pruning an Opuntia ellisiana? I have saws, newspaper, heavy leather gloves, goggles, etc. But my question is more about what section of the plant to cut. The base has de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for a New York, NY apartment? August 14, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, What are some native Mid-Atlantic/New England plants that can be grown well indoors? I live in an apartment in New York City and have recently realised that the plants I'v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why is my Agave suffering in Mesa, Arizona? August 06, 2009 I live in Mesa AZ, and have an agave that we planted 7 years ago. It grew like crazy with hardly any care whatsoever, until I cut off some of the bottom leaves and 'pups' about a month ago. Recently... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Agave in a vase of water in Tacoma WA July 19, 2009 I have a agave plant that is in a vase of water only. It was given to me about 3 years ago, still growing but rotting inside of the water. Is it suppose to be in dirt? How to I transfer into a pot ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Agave havardiana in Stella NC July 10, 2009 We have a havard century plant in a large pot outside that has a couple of "baby" plants starting to emerge on the outer perimeter of the plant. Can we sucessfully transplant these babies elsewhere ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Will the blooming stalk of my century plant eventually tip over? Yes June 24, 2009 I have a century plant in bloom. Will the stalk eventually tip over? Would appreciate any Internet references on the subject. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of Adams needle (Yucca filamentosa) June 24, 2009 My friend is changing her flower beds around and is wanting to eliminate an Adam's needle that has been there for several years. She has already dug it up and now is trying to get rid of all the new... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing and planting Yucca and pups in New Mexico June 23, 2009 I bought a Yucca plant and had 7 plants in one planter 1 large and 6 small. We wanted to split up the plants so we carefully separated them and planted them. My soil is very sandy (Rio Rancho) but I... 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 | ||
| Life span of the century plant (Agave spp.) June 17, 2009 I have a beautiful century plant that is blooming. what will happen once the bloom is done? What is the life span of the plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Agave americana/Century Plant care and life cycle. June 10, 2009 How often do century plants bloom? Do you have info on how to care for them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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