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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| Trees for home in Kansas April 01, 2012 I am needing help planting trees in my yard. It's a new construction home and I would like a tree that won't get into the septic system easily. Also, I have to plant 3 other trees as well due to the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Specifications for a property in Corning CA March 29, 2012 Drought resistant, deer resistant, low growing (ground cover), and shade tolerant request: I am looking for a variety of species that not only fit the above preferences, but also a few other things. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Strong groundcover for Southern California March 28, 2012 Need a strong ground cover. Hard time getting anything to grow. Full sun. Prefer some color. Low upkeep. The soil probably isn't great. It is a small hill within a planter. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants that grow in Canada, US and Mexico from Norfolk NE March 28, 2012 Are there any plants that grows in Canada, US and Mexico? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants of Arizona from Chandler AZ March 26, 2012 What are some native plants of Arizona, and how do survive in the heat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searchable lists of plant sale plants from Austin March 21, 2012 Is there a way to obtain a searchable list of the plants available at the Wildflower Plant Sale in April? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-poisonous, non-allergenic plants for privacy fence March 15, 2012 I'm looking to put in some plants to create a privacy fence against one side of my property. I'd like a mix of plants that grow well together in order to create a diverse look. I need something ever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscape planning in Plano TX February 23, 2012 I am devouring everything on your website and am so grateful that you put your knowledge and experience out there for all of us. Thank you!! I am trying to make a landscape plan for our Plano, TX b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More information on plants native to Taylor County TX February 13, 2012 Re: Thursday - September 15, 2011 QUESTION: Am looking for direction to a complete list of plants native to the Abilene, Taylor County, Texas area (trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti and other plants ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Plants for Galveston February 12, 2012 I'm looking for low maintenance, drought tolerant plants for Galveston, on the bay side, in a well drained area with morning sun. I was thinking of Phlox, Muhly grass, Lantana.....and I am looking f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscaping plans in Kyle TX February 12, 2012 I am starting from scratch in a backyard (approx. 52'x25')in Central Texas (Kyle). The backyard is on the north side of the single story house. I would like to have plants and trees that attract and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees to replace live oaks in Driftwood TX February 07, 2012 I am looking for ideas on what trees to plant in Driftwood, TX to replace live oaks that have been lost to oak wilt. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Full list of grasses for Connecticut from New York City January 28, 2012 Sorry, this is a followup to the native Connecticut grass query I sent half an hour ago. I see that it was asking for 'recommended species' that I ended up with such a short list of grasses (3). Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Drought resistant flowering plants for Spring, TX January 25, 2012 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants. I live in Spring Tx. and wanted to plant a garden in my front yard. I'm looking for flowering plants that are colorful, easy to manage, and drought resistant but so far can't fi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for steep lakeside bank in Minnesota January 17, 2012 I am new to MN and would like to plant some pretty plants on my steep lakeside bank. What type plants and flowers should I plant to prevent erosion, but not block the lake view? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control from White Stone VA January 14, 2012 Native Wetland Plants for Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control -- I have a wooded lot (pine and hardwoods)leading to 4-5 ft. wide flat shoreline edged with riprap. What native wetland plants survive salt wa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for Connecticut sandy gravel bank January 11, 2012 What ground cover plant can I use on a sandy gravel bank behind my house? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| native plants for landscaping in Honolulu January 08, 2012 Hi, wildflower.org has been a great help for me in learning about different plants, their Latin names and characteristics. I was looking for a list of plants (trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees and wildflowers for Matagorda County, Texas January 06, 2012 My family has a fish farm in Palacios, Matagorda county. I would like to plant trees and wild flowers on the property. Can you suggest the appropriate kind that can withstand the salt water around an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a bare clay slope in North Carolina December 22, 2011 Hi - I live near Raleigh North Carolina (border of the coastal plain and Piedmont). I have about 1/2 acre that was excavated for a geothermal heating/cooling system and now I need to stabilize it a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowering plant for container on lanai in South Florida December 15, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I would like to purchase a flowering plant for my ailing mother for Christmas. It has to be able to grow in shade so I can place it on her table on her lanai for her to be a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas. December 04, 2011 I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcovers for Miami, FL November 10, 2011 I live in Miami, Florida. I have a medium size Bismarck Palm in my front yard. What would be a good ground cover other than grass around this palm? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dense groundcover for full sun on the California coast. November 08, 2011 Can you recommend a very dense ground cover that serves as a lawn (in full sun on the coast, pref. drought resistant)? Many thanks in advance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for shade in Abilene TX October 29, 2011 I live in Abilene, Texas. I am trying to find the best plants to fill in an area on the North side of my home, which gets absolutely no sun. The area is sprinklered, and stays fairly moist. I really d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Central Texas flowers suitable for cutting from Leander TX October 29, 2011 Please suggest Central TX native flowers that would be especially suitable for a "cutting garden" for interior arrangements. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blue wildflowers for Massachusetts meadow garden September 30, 2011 I am restoring a 1980's era barn in Massachusetts. To celebrate the roll-out of the restored barn, I would like to plant wildflowers in the hayfield next to the barn (aprox. 3 acres). I would like ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen privacy hedge resistant to verticillium wilt September 27, 2011 I am looking for an evergreen, fast-growing privacy hedge (over 6') that is resistant to verticillium wilt and has low water requirements. I live in Monrovia, CA and have to replace hopseed bushes w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to stabilize sandy slope in Massachusetts September 23, 2011 Dear Mr. Smartypants, I am working on a small public housing project in Chelmsford, MA, northwest of Boston. We have a steep, sunny and SANDY slope and I am stumped as to what to recommend that wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native alternative for liriope September 20, 2011 I am looking for native alternatives to liriope for use in sun to part shade, moderate moisture planting beds. Would prefer evergreen options. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees suited for rocky, caliche soil of Central Texas September 20, 2011 I need to replace aging ashes. I have planted 2 Monterey oaks, but I would like to know what else I could plant whose roots will grow well in NW Austin caliche, rocky soil? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| List of plants native to the Abilene, Texas area September 15, 2011 Am looking for direction to a complete list of plants native to the Abilene, Taylor County, Texas area (trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti and other plants that grew here before cultivation, eradication or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is there a recommended list for Texas Eastern Cross Timbers? August 29, 2011 Is there a recommended list for Texas Eastern Cross Timbers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need Plants and Soil for a Green Roof in Buffalo, TX September 13, 2010 I'm building a green roof on my cabin in the Buffalo, Texas, area. Would you know what soil and plants would be best suited for that area? I have a lot of sand I could use, but didn't know if that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for Michigan February 10, 2008 Hi I was wondering if there are native plant lists for various regions of Michigan. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant fans for choosing native plants for the Central Texas region January 05, 2008 Has anyone created a plant "fan" that identifies and gives pertinent information on plants for the Central Texas region? The sample that I've found on fourpebblepress.com seems to cover the Rocky ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winter plant for area with poor drainage. December 07, 2007 I have a 2 ft by 15 ft bed between the concrete patio and the pool that gets run off from the porch roof. I can't gutter the roof, so the bed can get very wet and stay that way for some time. It face... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plant lists for eastern Washington and trace element absorption by plants November 06, 2007 I'm a graduate student at Washington State University in Pullman. I'm currently working out a method (in my head) of utilizing neutron activation analysis of prehistoric animal bone to figure out h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardy perennials for Chicago June 15, 2007 I have a duplex condo in Chicago. My basement or 1st floor is at sub-sidewalk level. This "patio" faces east and gets about 4 hours sun a day. It is about 8 feet high and covers an area 15x9. I'd l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need low-maintenance plants for courtyard in full sun in Rhode Island June 01, 2007 I live in West Warwick, Rhode Island. I am designing a courtyard which because of its shape and design receives full sun all day. I am looking for flowers and plants which thrive in the sun yet are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for mountainous regions April 04, 2007 I am writing a novel which is set in a mountainous un-named region. Are there any plants,trees & shrubs that are common sights in a number of regions. I don't want anyone to be able to specifically ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Listings of the native plants in Texas September 15, 2006 What are the native plants in the state of Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Garden/landscape software for native Texas landscape March 17, 2005 What garden/landscape software program(s) would you recommend for a native Texas landscape design? I haven't found one that includes Texas plants in the standard plant encyclopedia. Any hints would b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Plants for New England February 18, 2003 Can you assist me in finding more information on flowers and plants in Massachusetts and New England? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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