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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| Screening plant for wall in Florida February 26, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants, I live near Tampa, FL and I want to put a line of privacy plants/hedges along a brick wall. The wall is 6' high with openings in the top 3' of the wall. The length of the w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Skin irritation caused by hydrangea in Monroe GA July 06, 2009 Can Queen Anne Lace hydrangea cause a skin irritation such as poison ivy or oak? I picked up a branch that had broken off to discard and the following day I have a place on my arm about six inches lon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub for shade in Rockford IL April 29, 2009 I live in Rockford, IL and would like to know what kind of bush to plant in pretty much, full shade. I would prefer to stay away from evergreens due to allergies. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What do cedars do to cause cedar fever? February 20, 2009 What do the native cedars in Fate Tx do in the winter that causes allergies to get really bad that they have named it cedar fever View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of giant ragweed in Austin October 25, 2008 How can I get rid of a large field of giant ragweed? Part of the site is a steep slope, which is difficult to mow. I want to encourage native grasses but they are crowded out by the ragweed. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Avoiding cedar elm because of allergens August 18, 2008 Hi. Cedar elm, Ulmus crassifolia, seems like a wonderful, tough, drought tolerant native tree. I'd like to plant several to shade buildings. I'm being discouraged from doing so because Cedar elm ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Selection of trees for new home June 30, 2008 We are moving to Roanoke, Texas(Denton County) into a new home. Our home will have 3 trees which we can choose. They are Texas Ash, Live Oak, Sweetgum, Silver Leak maple, Cedar Elm and Bradford Pear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tea made from timothy grass June 20, 2008 My mom and I have been drinking tea made from Timothy grass seed for many years, 40 at least. It is delicious, and refreshing. My question is can you see any harm in drinking tea made from the seeds o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native substitute for traditional Christmas tree December 01, 2007 Could you give some recommendations for a substitute of the traditional Christmas tree used during the holiday season? The low light/humidity conditions in the home is a challenge under any circumsta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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