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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| Plants that will grow on the Connecticut coast June 08, 2010 I live on the coast in Connecticut and have a hard time growing plants here. I live about 1/2 mile from the beach and find that my soil is very rocky. The only plants that have done well in my yard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Chlorine tolerant plants for planters near pool in Florida June 01, 2010 I am looking for planting ideas for two planters next to our hot tub/pool. Plants need to withstand chlorine from pool, not attract bees, and take full sun. We are in South Florida. The planters ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Texas Mountain Laurel in Dallas May 04, 2010 I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that is about 3 years old. When I bought it 2 summers ago, it was about a foot high. Now it is over 6 feet. It seems to have grown so fast that the branches can't ke... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of fresh clippings from tree trimmers for mulch in Austin May 02, 2010 Hi, The tree trimmers are in my neighborhood (east central Austin) to clear the power lines and said I can have a load of free mulch. I am wondering if there is any harm in using the fresh mulch from... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best fertilizer for live oak trees in Central Texas April 22, 2010 What is the best fertilizer for live oak trees in Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen pet-safe shrubs for house and screening in McKinney TX April 15, 2010 Looking for shrub, preferably evergreen, to plant near the house that can handle wet ground and is pet (dog, cat, horse) safe. The area became boggy after we had an underground water leak that is now ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What soil to plant native plants in Huntsville TX April 14, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently purchased several plants at the Spring Plant Sale and would like to know when planting them, what type of soil should I use. I typically use partial native soil an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowers for sunny and shady gardens in Cedar Hill TX March 30, 2010 Last year I spent way too much on flowers for my sunny and shady flower beds. They all died from the heat, even after constant watering. What flowers could I plant in sunny and shady flower beds that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Help with composting in Katy TX March 19, 2010 I've gone on line and tried to figure out what I'm doing wrong with my compost pile. What exactly is the proper ratio, and the types of plant matter and layers to achieve the optimum decomposition i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Soil for native Chilopsis linearis and Salvia greggii February 08, 2010 I want to plant a desert willow and a salvia greggii in my small lot. The developer used sandy loam to fill in the small garden in the front. I am 73 and a bit impaired. Do I really need to remove ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing a Grass Lawn with Moss January 02, 2010 I have a small north facing yard that I would like to change from grass to moss. There is some moss now but still lots of grass. I need to rake a lot of leaves in the fall but want to get away from a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Area needing soil amendment in San Diego December 02, 2009 I have a dirt area in the corner where my fence comes together. The dirt is clay-like and during the winter the area gets very little, if any, sun and during the summer it gets 4-6 hours of sun. Wha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Foundation Plants for South Carolina November 07, 2009 What native plants are suitable as foundation plantings? My soil is heavy clayey loam with red clay subsoil. I live in Charleston County. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blackfoot daisy turning brown in Round Rock, TX September 30, 2009 A few days ago, our blackfoot daisy was doing wonderfully. Then we got heavy rains and suddenly the plant is sere and brown. Did the too wet weather do this, and will it come back next year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Chestnut Oak in Waukesha WI September 13, 2009 Bought and had nursery install a 4" diameter, 16' tall chestnut oak. Watered it as instructed-every 2nd or third day-hose stream size of my pinky for 45-60 minutes. It was planted in July. Just l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How will my Texas Mountain Laurel survive clay soil? June 09, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants: I live in a new neighborhood (brownfield site) in Central Austin where the developers have put fill in the yards. After not much more than 2 inches of topsoil you encounter fairl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruit in the compost bin June 07, 2009 I have a compost bin and I use the pulp from fruits and vegetables as one of the ingredients in my compost pile. We juice everyday so will all this pulp be too potent for new seedlings? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with Salvia Mystic Spires in Chesterfield VA May 30, 2009 Last August, our local Lowes had these beautiful, unusual blue perennials on the discount rack called "Salvia Mystic Spires". For 50 cents each, they looked terrific, so I bought all they had, about... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is cement leaching into flower beds in Colorado Springs? May 16, 2009 I have posed this question to a number of garden centers in our area around Colorado Springs--only to rec. a repeated--"Gee, I don't know." When we moved to our new home there was a rock concrete ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should shredded Ashe juniper be composted for mulch? May 06, 2009 Our neighbor shredded some Texas Hill Country cedar trees. Can we use it safely as mulch? Do we need to wait until it composts some? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer amounts for native perennials in Belton, TX March 18, 2009 I am a novice gardener and need advice on how to fertilize my native perennials. I would like to use organic fertilizer and need advice on exactly what to use. I have a compost pile but it does not ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| My newly planted Mountain Laurel isn\'t doing well. March 13, 2009 My mountain laurel was planted from a container in Dec. It is in part sun, clay soil, and its leaves are turning yellow. should I move it or will that kill it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds February 05, 2009 Can you put too much coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How soon after stump grinding can something else be planted? January 18, 2009 How soon after cutting down a Mulberry and grinding up the stump can we plant a new tree in its place? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Further information on soil pH for growing blueberries December 31, 2008 Thank you for your reponse to my question / comment. You were exactly right about soil pH. Here is what Clemson University Extension has to say about growing blueberries in North and South Carolina.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flower bed with part sun December 05, 2008 I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Soil mixes for green roofs November 23, 2008 We are trying to set up a green roof system on our own. What do you suggest for soil? It seems the soils are proprietary and unavailable to individuals. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Tecoma stans in Texas October 26, 2008 I have a pair of Tecoma stans planted too near the house. They're in shade most of the day. The branches that can reach a little sun are blooming nicely. Would they survive being transplanted fart... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Requirements to grow Lupinus albifrons October 07, 2008 What is required to grow Lupinus albifrons? Temp., soil mix, alkaline or acid, etc.? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of Hamelia patens in Laredo September 19, 2008 I have a question regarding Hamelias patens(firebush)that I have been trying to grow for 2 years. I live in Laredo, Texas and this area should be an excellent climate for this plant. I planted 12 of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping help for Gilmer, TX September 01, 2008 We have just moved to the beautiful hot state of Texas from warm California and we need some help! Our roses are dying, we have a patch about 25ft. by 3ft. that gets the rain run off like a little str... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow, pale green leaves on Cedar Elms in Texas August 30, 2008 I have had several cedar elms of various sizes planted in our yard over the last 10 years. Only the largest has dark green, healthy looking leaves. All the others have yellowish, pale green leaves. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Damage to native elm in Texas August 20, 2008 We had a major landscape renovation done over the winter. One of the trees, an elm about 10 yrs old, remained in the bed although plants around it were removed. The tree has suddenly started turning... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf fall from Cedar Elm planted in clay August 17, 2008 I saw the answer to leaves falling off a cedar elm planted in clay. However I planted a Cedar Elm in my back yard. I dug a hole in the grass then planted and put grass back on top. I water every other... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is the Obedient Plant a bog plant? August 16, 2008 I purchased 2 obedient plants at a farmer's market in Michigan. As I was unfamiliar with this plant, the merchant told me it did well in full sun. It was just what I needed. When I got home I look... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf drop from maple tree in Minnesota August 15, 2008 I have about a 30 ft maple tree in my yard, last fall I trimmed it pretty good because the branches were getting low where you could not walk under it or get grass to grow. This is the 2nd time in abo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants August 15, 2008 Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of highbush blueberry plant to produce in New Hampshire July 25, 2008 One of my highbush blueberry plants completely stopped producing. What can I do to revive it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Effects of patio under large tree July 17, 2008 I would like to put in a patio under a fairly large tree. I understand a tree needs some open ground around it for air and water. Can I use flagstone leaving 6-10 inches of space between the stones?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should I acidify my well water for native plants July 15, 2008 Should I acidify my well water for irrigation of native plants? There is not enough rainwater collection. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Darkened leaves on blueberry bush July 02, 2008 I have a blueberry bush planted in a very large pot. It has been doing very well, producing berries and new growth. All of a sudden the leaves have begun to turn dark. I have it potted in good soil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen hedge for constant rain June 24, 2008 We live in Washington State up north by Canadian border. We need a hedge that will survive the constant rain. We have tried cedar. They seem to turn brown and die,one at a time so we keep replacing th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Improperly prepared building site in Virginia June 24, 2008 Hi, I have a question about planting on newly-built homesite. We just moved into a new home in DC suburbs (Northern VA) and the landscape is the worst of the builder grade. There are prickly junipers ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for full sun and clay soil in NY May 06, 2008 We live in upstate new york( zone 5) with full sun and clay soil. What flowers/flowering shrubs would be successful in this environment? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What can be planted under a pine tree in Detroit, MI? April 22, 2008 What type of plant would you suggest I plant under my big (Blue bruce) pine tree? It's about 25 ft high and the branches are trimmed to about 4 feet up, so it does get some light but mostly shade.I a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for acid soils and coffee grounds for the soil April 21, 2008 Please tell me what plants & flowers need acid soil and are coffee grains good to make soil acid? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of growing plants in St. Peter Sandstone April 02, 2008 Can you grow plants or native plants in St. Peter Sandstone or amend it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-blooming Texas Mountain Laurel March 30, 2008 Two questions: 1. My mountain laurel (10 yrs old) has never had blooms. Is this a gender plant issue? 2. I have been seeking a groundcover that grows in shade and will take foot (dog) traffic. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for soil with basalt outcroppings in Idaho March 30, 2008 We have basalt (lava) outcropping in part of our back yard and know we'll have to search for pockets of soil in which to plant. Any suggestions about what trees or shrubs would have a chance in thes... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for poorly drained clay soil March 24, 2008 I am trying to establish a native plant garden in my back yard, I have two places where water stands for a few hours after a heavy rain, and the soil is black clay. Can you recommend any perennials 3... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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