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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| topic | question | |
| plants for a rain garden's moist area in Central Texas January 15, 2015 I am looking for local natives to plant in the wet portion of a rain garden/bioswale. Can you help, please? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer-resistant trees for privacy in Texas January 09, 2015 I need to find a deer resistant tall shrub or tree to plant and hide the deer fence my neighbor just put up on our property line. My property has full sun in parts and mostly shady in other parts and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Converting a Texas backyard to grow Xerophytic native plants January 09, 2015 I am planning the conversion of our backyard, about 4000 sq ft of largely St Augustine, into a grassless landscape of hardscaping and native plants. I’ve been an avid gardener of rock garden plants i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for privacy screen and noise reduction in Dallas. January 07, 2015 Our backyard is on the north side of our house and is adjacent to the south side of LBJ Freeway (I-635) in Dallas. TXDOT only constructed an 8' concrete wall along our portion of its expanded right-o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for waxleaf privet December 15, 2014 i just removed some waxleaf privet due to reading about the invasive and allergy problem to it. Is indian hawthorn blueberry muffin any better? what shrub do you recommend? I want it to grow about 6-1... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to prevent creekside erosion in Nacogdoches County, Texas December 09, 2014 I am looking for some advice on plants native to Texas that can help prevent erosion. I own a wooded lot with a creek and would like to consolidate the sides of the creek against potential erosion. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina December 06, 2014 I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seven foot privacy fence in Tucson November 25, 2014 I am looking for a privacy hedge for a home in Tucson, Arizona that will be in full sun. Needs to be at least seven foot tall and low water and maintenance. Any suggestions. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for Amber Jubilee Ninebark in California November 22, 2014 AMBER JUBILEE bush separating my neighbor and me, is spreading its roots into our water pipes. Want to rip out. What plants are root friendly and also give you privacy? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of non-native Buddha Belly bamboos November 08, 2014 I have several budha belly bamboos. They froze down last winter. I have got them back to 5 ft. I need them around 8-10 for privacy. Any suggestions? Also how to I protect them this winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas Redbud Suddenly Died in NM November 06, 2014 We had a Texas redbud, approximately 5 1/2 years old. It had been doing great then all of a sudden after it bloomed this spring, the leaves appeared but then shriveled right away. We noticed the trunk... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are American Hazelnuts Self-Fertile? November 06, 2014 I planted an American Hazelnut a couple of years ago that I ordered from a catalog. Is this plant self-fertile or do I need to plant another one? I have seen conflicting information on this subject. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native NW Pennsylvania Plants for Soap November 06, 2014 Are there any plants in northwest Pennsylvania that can be used as soap? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need shrubs for a privacy screen in Glendale CA October 30, 2014 Dear. Mr. Smarty Plants I need to grow a tall hedge 15-20 feet minimum to block a condo complex which overlooks my back yard. I need a fast growing hedge which is non toxic to dogs and one which roo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to germinate seed for Styrax grandifolius October 18, 2014 How do I germinate seed for the Styrax grandifolius? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Sabal minor juglone tolerant? October 13, 2014 Is Sabal minor or any other small and shade tolerant palm juglone tolerant? I’d like to plant one in an area near a pecan tree but I am not sure if they will play well together. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Beauty Berry Without Berries. October 08, 2014 I have a beautyberry that has no berries. I have some 3 year old bushes that are not producing berries. They are in semi-shade and I fertilize them. The bushes are green and growing but no berries.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning Citrus Suckers October 06, 2014 Mr. Smarty Plants, you are the only person that has "not" insisted that the little balls on Satsuma and lemon trees were clumps of bugs. They are surely what you described in the answer to my previo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Artemisia Cuttings in Texas September 29, 2014 I've rooted a number of artemisia plants in water and have transplanted them to pots. They grow so very well in our dry drought-stricken soil and need very little water. I'd like to transition these... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub with thorns, black fruit and citrus fragrance in Michigan September 19, 2014 I'm not sure that my plant is a native, but I'm hoping to find some answer. There is a small patch of roadside shrubs on my property which I've been unable to identify. They have simple opposite ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dwarf Yaupon Holly Cultivar Heights September 18, 2014 What is the largest of the dwarf yaupons? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butterfly Plants for Chicago September 13, 2014 I live near Chicago, IL and am interested in planting a butterfly garden. Not sure when to start, but I want all native plants that would attract butterflies. Can you please let me know which plants ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fuzzy Citrus Fruit on Satsuma and Lemon Trees September 13, 2014 A man asked you about fuzzy little small fruit-like balls that looked like tiny lemons. I have huge numbers of these on both my mature Satsuma and lemon tree this year. I get 100's of really great f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to Care for a Yucca after Blooming September 13, 2014 We just moved into our home and there was an existing yucca plant in the yard and it had bloomed. There was some kind of vine growing in and around it. We tried to clean out the vine but I noticed a l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Red berries growing along county road in Caldwell County, Texas September 06, 2014 Hello, first I would like to thank you for your time. I thank it's great that you guys and girls answer questions (I'm sure y'all are busy). That being said I will get to the question. On the sides... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Texas Mountain Laurel September 04, 2014 I've had a Texas mountain laurel for 4 years that's being trained into a tree. I think it was a 3-year old tree when I purchased it. Unfortunately, it has suffered from overwatering, and the two mai... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion Control for Salem IN September 02, 2014 We've recently had a new pond dug. It is on a hill side and has some very steep and tall banks. We were advised that our best chance of keeping soil from eroding was to plant fescue. I'm not thrille... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hummingbird Bushes for Broken Arrow OK August 27, 2014 I am looking for bushes that attract hummingbirds. I live in Broken Arrow, OK. Can you recommend some? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer Resistant Plants for Newton Square, PA August 25, 2014 I'm looking for highly deer resistant plants native to PA. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with a Cercis (Redbud) August 25, 2014 Half of my redbud tree is pooped out looking. On two places on the bark are areas where a few layers of bark have pulled back. In these areas there are white growths. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting and Pruning Callicarpa August 21, 2014 I saw the previous question about Callicarpa from the guy in Texas and I have two questions based on the response. In SW Vermont, is late fall still the best time to transplant my Callicarpas? Also, i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-Tolerant, Evergreen Groundcover for CA August 21, 2014 We are looking for a drought tolerant, evergreen groundcover for California. I am considering Sarcococca hookeriana and Cotoneaster dammeri but don't know if they're the best options for the area. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Looking for a Privacy Barrier Plant for NC August 21, 2014 I am trying to determine the best plant for a privacy barrier for my area in NC that has clay soil. I have a 6 foot high fence but need something 12 feet or taller. It has to be something that does no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deep Rooted Large Shrub or Small Tree for Driveway Strip August 21, 2014 I am in eastern Massachusetts. My condominium Grounds Committee is searching for a small tree suitable to plant in narrow (4'-5') beds which divide two driveways. Can you suggest something whose roo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub for Dallas Street August 20, 2014 I am looking for a native shrub for Dallas, Texas. It is full sun with a maximum height of 3 feet to border the street edge of a shopping center. It will get irrigated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shady Container Plant for Austin August 20, 2014 I am looking for a tall plant/small shrub/ornamental grass for a very large pot that is placed against the north wall of our Austin home. That spot gets some morning sun in the summer, but virtually ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Chickasaw plums evergreen? August 13, 2014 Are Chickasaw Plums evergreens? I've been very interested in planting a few but some websites say they are evergreens while others say the opposite. Furthermore, would I have to plant a male and fema... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Final size of a Texas mountain laurel August 11, 2014 I have purchased a Texas Mountain Laurel. The plant tag says it will grow 25 to 35 feet. LBWF plant data base says 10 to 15 feet. Which data should I go with? It's either plant close but not close to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Recovery of water-stressed Agarita August 11, 2014 Hello! I planted a small agarita at the end of May and then left town for six weeks. During that time it was supposed to receive weekly deep irrigations to help it establish, but it seems that som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moderate-sized trees for lawn in West Virginia August 10, 2014 I recently had a landscape design completed by a professional lanscape company. The landscape is sloping down in front of my house. At the corner they included a Sweet Bay Magnolia, which we like ve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of bush/vine with purple berries August 09, 2014 I was clearing fence line and came across this plant it looks like a Bush but underneath grows like a vine it has long broad leaves that reminded me of Polk salad but it grows berry clusters the berri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sages in Catasauqua, PA August 08, 2014 I want to buy a Texas Sage tree but I live in PA. Can I bring the tree indoors during winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lack of Blooms and Low Hanging Limbs on Mountain Laurels August 06, 2014 My mountain laurel didn't bloom this year but has a few hard pods on it. It is 9 ft tall but very top heavy with most growth low. I need to prune it a lot at the bottom because it has branches hangi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen sumacs for privacy along fence August 02, 2014 I would like to plant enough Evergreen Sumacs along our fence for privacy for the length of our backyard which is 60 ft. Fifteen feet on the left and right ends are shaded with the right side being d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Ilex x attenuata (Savannah holly) July 31, 2014 Is it hard to take a savannah holly out of my front yard? Do the roots grow down deep or are they more shallow? I can only take a 36-40 rootball circumference because of surrounding established shru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? July 28, 2014 Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? Your database does not address this for most plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a Austin thicket underlayer July 25, 2014 We live in Austin, west of 183. We are planning to put a thicket in our backyard, where there is no threat of deer. Anchoring the thicket are a clump of live oaks, a Texas persimmon, an Eve's Necklac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pollination of Fendlera rupicola July 17, 2014 How/by what is Fendlera rupicola pollinated? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Japanese Wineberry in Maryland July 16, 2014 Hello, we were at Cunningham Falls in Maryland and I can not identify this plant. If you could I would greatly appreciate it, thank you. It looks like a raspberry but the berries are inside small leav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yaupon hollies dying mysteriously July 16, 2014 I have a row of yaupon hollies (Ilex vomitoria) that I keep trimmed like a hedge. They were all healthy for many years. Two years ago one of them died and I removed it, leaving a gap in the line of h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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