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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Planting buffalograss from Surfside Beach SC September 14, 2012 How do I plant buffalograss along a lake? Do I just spread the seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Varieties of Ceanothus suitable for Illinois September 07, 2012 Ceanothus Velutinus is the smell of western Montana, my home, to me, and I have relocated to Illinois. I miss it so much that whenever I go home I bring back a jar of ceanothis leaves and keep th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Disagreement on amending soil for planting from Austin September 01, 2012 In today's newspaper column, you answered a question about transplanting a redbud. You said to follow the instructions on the WFC web site, except you recommended adding compost to the backfill soil.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need suggestions for a small tree for cemetery in NH. August 30, 2012 I would like suggestions for picking a SMALL tree for a rural cemetery in Winchester, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Would the delicate Japanese Elm be suitable for the weather, etc? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Moving plants for extreme drought from Greencastle IN August 23, 2012 In exceptional drought here in Indiana, I am looking at weeds that may become my next perennials! How do I move what my dad called ragged robins from the edges of roads. They are blue and could be wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need a good plant for Clayton, NC. August 23, 2012 What would be a good plant for Clayton,NC for this time of year. I would like for it to come back every year so I don't have to replant. I have several full sun areas that I need to cover in the fron... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Looking for a male Southern Wax Myrtle in Newport News, VA. August 20, 2012 We are looking to add more southern wax Myrtles to make a hedge row with them. We already have one in the ground that is a female. I have called around to see if anyone sells the male but i keep get... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for trees from Burnet TX August 19, 2012 I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia August 18, 2012 From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL August 17, 2012 I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-inv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pecan trees too close together in Austin August 14, 2012 There are two pecan trees in my central Austin yard. Each is four or five inches diameter at chest height and maybe 15 feet tall. They are within six feet of each other and their canopies interfere wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Oak leaf hydrangeas from Edwardsville IL August 13, 2012 Hello, I live in West Central Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) and I am considering planting several Oak leaf Hydrangea's in my yard. The location where I would like to plant them is und... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting American Beautyberry from Elgin TX August 04, 2012 A friend wants me to take her American Beautyberry shrubs that are in containers, because she is moving and can't take them with her. I have to transport them in the back of a truck and am afraid th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting Muhly grass in late summer from Wimberley TX August 02, 2012 Can I transplant Muhly grass in July/August? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing butterfly weed as a girl scout project July 30, 2012 We have a group of girl scouts who want to sell 'crafts' at a farmers market. I am wanting to steer the moms and girls in a different direction. I was wondering if you think that butterfly weed woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with chile pequin from Pflugerville TX July 19, 2012 Hello there! I have a question about my chile pequin (Capsicum annuum L.) plant. I purchased it last year from the Wildflower Center Fall Plant Sale. It stayed in a pot until three months ago when I p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplant shock in pecan tree in Garner NC July 19, 2012 I transplanted a pecan tree about 3 weeks ago & been watering it 3 times a day. The leaves are turning brown & crumbly before I water it. After I water it, the leaves are brown but I can scratch the t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX. July 16, 2012 I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast July 13, 2012 I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC July 12, 2012 I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants Swamp Rose Mallow, Southern Blue Iris, Soft Rush, American Bur-reed, American lotus, Woolgrass and Duck Potato Is it better... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Search for Silver Magnolia from Coram NY July 11, 2012 Hi, 20+ years ago I purchased a small tree labeled Silver Magnolia from a catalog. It was a sapling about 8 inches high when I first received it but amazing! The bloom the first year was as big as my ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Care of Live Oaks July 11, 2012 We have Two Young Live Oaks in the front of Our home. We had them treated for insects, ect. Now what can we do to make them Full Green and Happy Happy Happy again.Thank You View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting Texas Mountain Laurel seeds in Horse Shoe Bay,TX July 09, 2012 I have harvested Texas Mountain Laurel pods and extracted the seeds from the pods. The seeds are characteristic red/orange/maroon. When is the best time and best method to introduce seeds into pots? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Kinnikinnick for a green roof July 04, 2012 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I live just north of Seattle and want to build a green roof (outdoor kitchen) I'm concerned about the weight of the soil (saturated), drainage etc. am building from scratch and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need help with Tulip Tree in Jacksonville,Florida July 03, 2012 I planted a 20 foot tall Tulip Tree last spring. The hole I dug was double the size of what the tree came in. The tree was doing well until we got tropical storm Debby. In the middle of the night t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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