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?
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 | |
California plants poisonous to dogs from Sacramento July 01, 2012 Found dodonea viscosa purple. Is it poisonous to dogs? Also Gold Star Potentilla. Going drought tolerant and need small trees, shrubs and plants not poisonous to dogs for sun and partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Safe grazing for donkeys and goats from Osteen FL June 30, 2012 I am having a very difficult time trying to find shrubs, hedges, plants, flowers, or trees etc. that are safe for donkeys and goats. We live in Zone 9 and have a small farm. I've had to pull every ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Vine non-toxic to alpacas and dogs from Fowler CA June 29, 2012 We have alpacas and would like to plant a flowering vine on a backyard fence that adjoins the pasture. We live in Central California so we have many hot days during the summer and would like a plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA June 24, 2012 I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant ID of unknown purchased plant from Boise ID June 24, 2012 Hi! I bought a tree that the sales person didnt know what it was. I thought it was a cherry tree and now after about 3-4 yrs I know it is but..How do I know if it is an ornamental tree or real fruit t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-native vines poisonous to animals from Park Ridge IL June 18, 2012 I have a Star Jasmine and sambac Philipine Jasmine Plant . Are they poisonous to cats or dogs. I have them in the house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California June 16, 2012 What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What is white sticky substance in the Mandevilla vine? June 15, 2012 When I was watering my Mandevilla one of the vines broke and there was a white, sticky substance that came out of the vine. I was just curious as to what that is. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Asclepias incarnata poisonous to dogs? June 13, 2012 Is Asclepias incarnata safe in a farm/yard with plenty of dogs running around? What happens if a dog eats the leaves or seeds or pods? Is eating any of these fatal to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of plant with orange sap that glows at night June 06, 2012 I was just pulling up a plant and noticed that its sap was a kind of orange then I noticed it glowing orange at night. What kind of plant is this and is it dangerous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Toxicity of catalpa wood? June 05, 2012 Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic? Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identity of poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas May 29, 2012 What is the name of a poisonous thorn bush in Montgomery Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Can foxglove poison be transmitted to the soil and taken up by another plant May 29, 2012 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, Recently I discovered a Foxglove that had come up after being planted 2 or 3 yrs ago. Next to it I have some medicinal Feverfew growing. (They were so close together I suspec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD May 28, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Reaction to something in the garden from Dowling MI May 25, 2012 In late March I was working in my yard raking etc. The next morning I had three black spots between my knee and shin that were swelling and feverish. Two days later the areas became bigger and began... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-native Purple Hyacinth from Sylvania OH May 21, 2012 I am wondering if I plant a Purple Hyacinth Bean vine seed under a tree and allow it to grow up the tree trunk, will it kill the tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing a Texas Mountain Laurel in Pennsylvania May 20, 2012 Can I grow a Texas Mt. Laurel in Lancaster, PA? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for exotic pets May 14, 2012 I need to know what are some good native non-toxic plants for these species: Porcelain roach (Gyna lurida) from Kenya, Africa. Giant cave roach (Blaberus giganteus) from Central and South Americ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Rash resulting from cutting trees in NC. May 08, 2012 My boyfriend was cutting some trees yesterday. He had thorns in his hands after he was done, and today he has a rash on his legs, a fever and he feels like throwing up. Can you tell me if its symptoms... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is wild foxglove poisonous to dogs from Liberty TX May 05, 2012 Is penstemon cobaea (wild foxglove)poisonous to pets, specifically dogs. I was thinking about adding this to my native Texan wild flower section of my backyard. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need to find a place to buy Western Soapberry in Paris, TX. May 05, 2012 Where is the closest place to purchase a Western Soapberry tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
hummingbird attractants May 03, 2012 I live in Baytown, Texas and am looking for a variety of plants that attract Hummingbirds, but are also pet friendly. I have two dogs, so this is a major concern. I am putting the plants in my backyar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cenizo safe for consumption by parrots from Phoenix AZ April 30, 2012 Could you tell me if Cenizo, (Leucophyllum frutescens) branches and leaves can be fed to pets? (parrots)I read the leaves were often used for tea for humans, but can't find an information if safe fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Toxicity of barren strawberries April 30, 2012 Are barren strawberries toxic? . View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants poisonous to dogs from Marion TX April 24, 2012 Is the desert willow poisonous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |