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 poisonous to horses from Landrum SC April 15, 2012 Please tell me if the following trees are poisonous to horses: hickory, beech, poplar, and redbud. Thank you very much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for Orange County, Florida April 14, 2012 I live in Central FL (Winter Park)and I have a small, mostly sunny (no trees) backyard next to a large in-ground swimming pool which fills up with the leaves of my neighbor's oak trees. The backyard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedgerow plants non-toxic to horses April 07, 2012 What would be a good, fast growing, hedgerow plant that is NON-POISONOUS TO HORSES? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sap from agave causing reactions from Edgewater FL April 06, 2012 Not only was I stuck with the century plant thorns and needle like ends when I was digging up its pups, but I also broke the carrot-like root of a few when I was transplanting and got the white sap on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub) grow near black walnut trees? April 01, 2012 Will Calycanthus floridus survive if planted near Black Walnut trees? If not, can you recommend a similar bush that will? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant for privacy hedge in Oklahoma that is not poisonous to dogs April 01, 2012 Hello! I am looking to put a privacy hedge fence in my yard. I love the look of American Holly, however, I have a dog who eats everything so I worry that this will not be a wise choice with the b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) poisonous? March 18, 2012 I need to know whether any part of Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is poisonous. Am thinking of planting it at an Elder Day Center for people with memory problems and the director insists - no toxic ... 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 |  | |
| Is Texas Mountain Laurel Honey Toxic in Fulshear, TX? March 11, 2012 Toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel HONEY I know the seeds and leaves of the Tx Mountain Laurel are toxic. But, is honey that comes from the Mountain Laurel toxic too? I heard that it is, but can'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Does Helasia diptera absorb toxic substances from Dover Plains NY March 09, 2012 Dear Mr. Plants, Halesia carolina is described as absorbing toxic substances: herbicides, pesticides and pollutants from water, air and soil. Does Halesia diptera do the same? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with shrubs by pool in Bethesda, MD February 24, 2012 We are trying to grow Otto Luyken Laurels by a pool and doing okay, some brown spots on leaves, but not many. Also have Arbivatea beside the pool about 3 feet from the edge of the pool. They have a l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wisteria and Non-Poisonous Native Vines February 15, 2012 I'm from central Texas and I'm wanting to plant a native vine that will work well around the public, mainly kids. It's a mostly sunny trellis that makes an arch. I'd like to plant the native Wiste... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic plants for horses in Virginia from Doswell VA February 13, 2012 Looking for a list of Non Toxic plants to horses in the State of Virginia. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are palm tree thorns poisonous? January 27, 2012 Almost 3 weeks ago I trimmed the fronds of my pygmy date palm. The tip of a thorn was stuck in my finger. I pulled it out. The side of my finger is still very painful and my finger is swollen. I c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is there a vine in Indiana with poisonous thorns? December 27, 2011 I was cut at the left big toe by a brownish/red thorny vine while tracking thru dry grass near the bridge exiting 278. I'm from Indianapolis, in 46208. Was wondering if I was exposed to a poisonous v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are buckbrush (coralberry) berries poisonous? December 20, 2011 Are the berries on buckbrush (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) poisonous to humans? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing non-invasive shrub for privacy fence in Sugar Land TX December 06, 2011 I live in South Texas in Sugar Land. I was going to plant oleanders in my backyard along the fence as a privacy hedge, about 20 feet from my house. However, I was told they were a bad choice becaus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| North American Plants with Poisonous Thorns December 01, 2011 Are there any plants in North America that possess poisonous thorns? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| poisonous landscaping plants in New Mexico November 21, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been given the task of finding non poisonous plants and shrubbery to add to our new children's playground. This is a Head Start playground so I have to make sure anything w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a cucumber-like vine with fruit November 16, 2011 We found tiny, grape-size white melon-like fruit on a vine, with tomato-like/cucumber-like seeds. The leaves on the vine were similar to grape or cucumber leaves, but not spiny. They were behind our... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How toxic are milkweed (Asclepias spp.)? November 01, 2011 We are considering a monarch waystation for our local elementary and are concerned about milkweed toxicity. Would it be safe to plant it in reach of children? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA October 29, 2011 No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs that non-toxic to horses but that they won't eat October 29, 2011 I am looking for a low maintenance, low water, green shrub that horses won't eat and will not be toxic to them. I want to hide my neighbors corral and keep down dust on my side. The horses have "l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lantana induced rash October 20, 2011 What should I use for a rash caused by a Lantana scratch on my arm View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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