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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| 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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