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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Transplanting and germination of Pride of Barbados in Adkins, TX April 02, 2012 What is the root system like of the Pride of Barbados? I have a lot of new plants coming up in my beds from seeds. Can these be transplanted to a new location easily without damaging the plants? If... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowers for days on end in California March 30, 2012 What are some plants or flowers that I can grow "all-year" in California? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dealing with rain runoff on a slope in Austin March 24, 2012 Our lawn is a year old and slopes at about a 45 degree angle with a lot of small holes and tiny gullies from water run-off. I have tried packing them with soil, but it washes away in the rain. Would ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
killing grass on 1 acre before planting Habiturf March 04, 2012 I have an acre of full sun lawn on a slight slope in Dallas - would the habiturf be appropriate & if so, how do I go about killing off the existing weeds/crab grass before installing? Removing 3 in o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting wildflowers in spring for spring bloom March 02, 2012 I was wondering if it is possible to plant wildflowers around this time of year, and expect them to bloom in the spring still? I have heard that many wildflowers germinate in the fall. Are there c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How do I plant seeds harvested from my flower bed? February 28, 2012 In early Spring of 2011 I planted a new raised bed 75'x4' in size, with wildflower seeds obtained from a commercial nursery in Corpus Christi. I was taken back by their cost relative to the volume o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fertilizing oaks to produce acorns January 16, 2012 Will fertilizing oak trees help with acorn production? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to seed a native grass lawn in a drought area? December 15, 2011 I want to plant a native grass lawn. It is raining now. Can I plant it in December? It might not be raining in the spring if the drought continues. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mexican Sycamore trees grown from seed November 15, 2011 If someone is selling an alleged Mexican Sycamore grown from a seed harvested from a mature tree growing in Austin, is it likely to be a TRUE Mexican Sycamore -- or has it most likely been pollinated ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Desmodium spp. (beggar's lice) in Leander TX November 11, 2011 Our home backs up to a greenbelt on Blockhouse Creek in Williamson County, Texas (FM 1431 and Parmer Lane). The combination of the flood and drought has left our beautiful greenbelt with an abundance... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing bluebonnets in pot in Flower Mound TX November 01, 2011 We received a package of bluebonnet seeds along with the DVD Wildflowers: Seeds of History as a gift. In the film, Andrea DeLong mentions that bluebonnets did not grow well in a rich organic soil. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ground cover for burned acreage in Bastrop, Texas October 31, 2011 The fire took 2/3 of the trees on my half acre in Bastrop County. It was mostly wild. What do I plant for ground cover? Do I plant native grass seed in fall? I want to keep it native as possible. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA October 29, 2011 No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for seed of Blackfoot Daisy from Amarillo TX October 29, 2011 I need help finding Melampodium leucanthum seed. I have spent the last few hours on the web searching for them. I checked the resources in your lists and cannot find seed. I live in Potter Coun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly) October 27, 2011 Is it too late to plant Gulf Muhly seed in North Texas (October)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to reseed wildflowers in a drought year? October 18, 2011 My acreage with extensive wildflowers was mowed in 2010 before annuals had seeded. Only a few returned this year. Considering the predicted lonterm drought should I postpone reseeding this fall? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeding the banks of a large pond October 18, 2011 I have a 2 acre surface pond that is mostly a hard clay bank all around. The water level is way down and I will begin filling it very soon. I need to somehow being affordable, plant something or thing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Time for seeding wildflower seeds in Castle Rock CO October 03, 2011 I live in Castle Rock, CO. When is the best time to plant wildflower seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Golden groundsel plants or seeds for Bulverde TX October 02, 2011 Where can I find golden groundsel, plants or seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dill-like plant in veggie garden in California September 28, 2011 I have a plant that appeared in my veggie garden. Looks like dill in spring when green, but the leaves smell more like turpentine! Now, 4-5 foot tall, brown, it produces lots of small, oval - not cr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Eliminating black locust volunteers in Rockville MD September 27, 2011 I am a landscape designer whose client has a very large, mature black locust in her front yard. Not surprisingly, she also has multitudes of black locust volunteers popping up all over her yard. The... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Abutilon fruticosum (Indian mallow) seeds September 24, 2011 Do you know anyone who has Abutilon Fruticosum (Indian Mallow) seeds for sale? I would love to grow the Indian Mallow, but can't locate a source. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seed planting of Crossvine from Orlando FL September 12, 2011 Seed planting of Bignonia capreolata - Tangerine Beauty. I have seed pods. Do I plant how deep and should I put in a plastic bag with a wet papertowel in the refrigerator and let it sprout? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ash tree shedding seeds early in IL June 23, 2011 I've lived in my house 13 years now and have a large and old ash tree in my backyard near my patio. The seed pods are ten-fold this year and are dropping constantly. I've never experienced this co... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need information about broadcasting wildflower seeds in a pasture 70 miles east of Dallas, TX. April 20, 2011 We recently moved to upper east TX - 70 miles East of Dallas. I would like to broadcast wildflowers in our pasture. I'm assuming I'll need to wait until next fall, but not sure about that. Can you t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to grow bluebonnets in Atlanta TX March 04, 2011 How can I grow bluebonnets in Atlanta Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Raising bluebonnets in Stanford CA January 17, 2011 I'm a Houston girl now living in Northern California (Stanford). I would like to know if I need to adjust my growing timing for lupinus texensis? Mostly, I want to know when I should actually put th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire December 18, 2010 From your experience with prairie burns, how does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Black-eyed Susans in potting soil on ground November 12, 2010 I would like to know if black eyed susans can be planted in just potting soil instead of mixing it in with dirt from the ground? I don't want to leave it in the pots. I want to plant it, but the grou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why all the acorns from Austin November 03, 2010 What's the explanation for the huge crop of acorns falling from my live oak trees this fall. Do you recommend I dump them in my composter or just throw them in the flower beds? Thanking you in adv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower seeds affected by mulch in Austin October 24, 2010 I have a small wildflower garden in my central Austin yard. In early summer, I had some extra mulch and put it in this garden. Now I'm thinking that was a mistake. The bed has re-seeded itself for se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas September 15, 2010 I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeds for India from Guilderland NY August 15, 2010 I have Green Cross “Non Profitable” trust in TamilNadu India. We are looking for free seeds from Government and other NGO foundations. Moto: Global Vowing awareness program and our volunteers help ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sagebrush for Westminster CO August 06, 2010 On a recent visit to Taos, NM we fell in love with the local sagebrush. We would like to plant this sagebrush in our yard. We are located near Denver Colorado. Would this plant survive and how do we g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sprouts from Sabal palmetto in Charleston SC July 23, 2010 I live in SC and have several palm trees (our state tree and symbol). The trees are wonderful, but my situation concerns the many, many sprouts that appear in the flower beds around the trees? Is the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter-interest plants in Wynnewood PA July 11, 2010 Could you please suggest flowering plants that provide winter interest after drying out (ie with seed pods or interesting dried flower heads)? I'm looking for something that grows in full sun. Thank ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting red Columbine and Cedar sage from seed in Canyon Lake, Tx. July 06, 2010 I live near Canyon Lake, Texas in the Hill Country. I would like to plant red columbine and cedar sage in the shady areas beneath live oaks and ashe junipers within the limestone soil that is there n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers planted in Pittsfield, IL to bloom the first of October July 01, 2010 If I plant my wildflower seeds now in Illinois, is it possible they will bloom in three months (by the very beginning of October)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cottonwood trees shedding in Orion MI June 23, 2010 How long can I plan on my cottonwood trees (wild) shedding long wide cotton strips? This is a first for my trees. Usually it is fluffy small puffs. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Number of seeds per pound for Curvepod fumewort from Bridger MT June 17, 2010 Do you know or where can I find the number of seeds per pound for Corydalis curvisiliqua-scrambled eggs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Severely cutback sloping soil in Dripping Springs TX May 09, 2010 We have 5.5 acres off Henly Loop just north of Hwy 290 about 10 miles west of Dripping Springs, TX. The former property owners carved out soil from a sloping area to get soil for the driveway. Doing ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ground cover for steep slope in Washington DC May 07, 2010 We have a steep slope in our garden in Washington DC which has sun from noon to sun set. Could you please recommend some low maintenance plants which would be a good ground cover and limit erosion? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How and when to harvest bluebonnets. April 30, 2010 A previous answer mentioned harvesting bluebonnet seeds by pulling up the whole plant when the seed pods turn brown. Two clarifications - when do the seed pods turn brown as these plants are hard to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Collecting seeds of Anemone berlandieri, windflower March 29, 2010 The recent rainy weather has produced a small colony of what I have identified from your web site as Anemone berlandieri Pritzel (Texas Anemone) in my backyard. Is there a way to harvest these seeds f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Time to mulch without inhibiting seeds in Hitchcock, TX March 17, 2010 When would be the best time of year to put down mulch, if I want my native plants to re-seed? I don't want to bury the seed under mulch layers or new dirt. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin January 21, 2010 I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Milkweed with the biggest pods in Smith County, TX? September 11, 2009 I live in East Texas and I would like to know which of the milkweed plants bears the largest seed pod. I would also like to know the best time to locate the pods in and around the Smith County area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Erosion control in Santaquin UT August 11, 2009 I have a hill in my backyard; it is about 40 ft tall and about 80 ft wide. It is probably a 1.5 to 1 slope ratio. I am going to be landscaping my back yard and have top soil put on the hill as well. S... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Controlling erosion in Leburn KY July 21, 2009 I would really appreciate advice on controlling a serious erosion problem in eastern Kentucky. The slope is north facing, shady and moist with rich soil. Would prefer to use native Kentucky plants. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Clay hill with erosion problems in Reedsport OR July 10, 2009 We have a very steep 35-40' clay hill subject to erosion in the Oregon rainy season. How or what do we do to get some kind of vegetation/grass, etc to grow without washing away? We have had mudslides... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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