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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| topic | question | |
| Rhizobium sources for bluebonnets March 25, 2008 Where can you buy Rhizobium for your bluebonnet seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas bluebonnets for Illinois March 12, 2008 Thank you Mr. Smarty Plants. I will be closely checking the variety of Texas bluebonnets that I tried to plant. For the record, I did soak them first to loosen the seed shell. I think we probably just... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| History of the Texas Bluebonnet March 12, 2008 Hi, I'm working on an article for a newspaper and wondered if you could point me in the right direction to find out the history of the bluebonnet. When did it become the state flower? Is it really ill... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Texas bluebonnets in North Carolina March 11, 2008 I live in North Carolina and love the Texas Bluebonnets. Can I create my own mix of soil to be able to grow them here? Soil is basically red clay and icky. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bluebonnet seeds north of Chicago March 11, 2008 Hi My husband is originally from Texas - we now live north of Chicago. Last year he bought a whole bunch of Blue bonnet seeds from a company that said they would grow in our area... I planted enough ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blooms as far as the eye can see March 06, 2008 Why are some wildflowers capable of putting on spectacular sweeps of blooms "for as far as the eye can see" such as Indian paintbrush at Vail Pass in Colorado, or bluebonnets in the Texas hill count... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bluebonnets planted in late spring bloom, will they bloom again? February 06, 2008 New to South Texas & we decided to plant bluebonnets around our house. The seeds were planted in late spring & we were delighted to watch them start their initial growth-cycle. They ultimately produc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is there a variety of bluebonnet called black gumbo February 04, 2008 I live in Grimes County, Texas on the eastern edge of the Blackland Prairie. A few years ago my hillside of Bluebonnet seed was harvested. I was told it was a rare 'black gumbo' variety of bluebon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When do bluebonnets bloom in Austin January 03, 2008 When do Blue Bonnets bloom in Austin? We have someone who wants to come visit and see the Blue Bonnets and I want to tell them the right time of year.. Thanks!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Germination of bluebonnets from seed December 16, 2007 I am having problems getting my bluebonnet (Alamo Fire and regular bluebonnets to germinate from seed). Usually I soak them in lukewarm water overnight then plant in a potting mix. I am only getting... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Wildflowers for a wedding site November 11, 2007 My fiance and I would like to get married on his family's ranch, just north of Johnson City on the Pedernales river, in April of 2009. Currently, we are clearing the over-grown meadows of cactus and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Soils for Central Texas wildflowers November 04, 2007 Our family is moving to 40 acres near Lexington, TX with deep soil. Briefly talking to personnel at the Wildflower Center during Goblins in the Garden, I found that not all flowers in the Central Texa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When to plant bluebonnet seed October 16, 2007 When do I put out Bluebonnet seed? Do I soak them first? Thank You. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Inoculant for bluebonnets October 08, 2007 Where can I find inoculant for my bluebonnets? I have searched high and low. Native American Seeds does not carry it. I can buy it for soybeans in a huge quantity, but am not sure that this is the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing St. Augustine, replacing with native plants October 06, 2007 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, always excited to talk to the Green Guru himself. I've recently purchased a house in South Austin and am interested in establishing a small, 500+ sq ft, prairie grass and wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting and growing bluebonnets October 06, 2007 I am looking for bluebonnet seed planting suggestions. when? How? I found a source for seed. I want to plant about 2500 sq foot area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Franciscans and bluebonnets October 05, 2007 I always thought the bluebonnets were native to Texas. However, I'm reading a book on the Missions of Old Texas and the author states the Franciscan brought into Texas the horse, cow, honey bees ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizing wild bluebonnets September 26, 2007 Can you fertilize wild bluebonnets? If so, with what and when? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grow bluebonnets in Virginia September 04, 2007 I want to ATTEMPT to grow some Texas Bluebonnets in VA because I am homesick and both our kids are back in Austin. That said, the site says " it may be necessary to inoculate the soil with a rhizobiu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Lupinus ssp. (bluebonnets) June 25, 2007 Are bluebonnets toxic to cattle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets as a source of nitrogen fixation June 13, 2007 I am fascinated by Texas Bluebonnets and want to introduce them to k-12 students as a major source of Nitrogen fixation. As I want to present this to the teachers can I get any guidance from you, lik... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowers for color year round May 02, 2007 I have the opportunity to recommend plants for a religious organization. They want YEAR ROUND color in some areas, much like how commercial sites use annual color. I would like to suggest native/ada... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardiness of bluebonnet seeds under water and white bluebonnets April 30, 2007 I was trying to find out more about the hardiness of bluebonnets. We own a lot on Lake Travis near Spicewood Texas. As you are probably aware, the lake was very low this spring due to a drought that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting bluebonnets along highway April 28, 2007 We are in the process of fencing our land located on a main highway. We are supposed to fence 80ft. from the center of the highway. That is a lot of land just sitting there. I wanted to know since we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting time for bluebonnets April 23, 2007 When is the best time to plant bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mixing of bluebonnets and buffalograss in a lawn April 22, 2007 I have moved into a house with a yard full of weeds. I would like to plant Buffalograss but understand Buffalograss is sparce and difficult to keep the weeds out. So, I was considering mixing it wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower seeds that may be planted in late spring April 21, 2007 Monday April 09, 2007 Is it too late to plant wildflowers? I know nothing of the planting season of wildflowers however we are doing a residential ranch development and I would love to throw some see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets in Colorado mountains April 21, 2007 Will Bluebonnets grow up in Colorado in the mountains? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets April 19, 2007 Are pink bluebonnets still considered very rare? I discovered several growing amongst normal blues on the National Instruments corporate campus here in Austin. I wasn't sure if the Wildflower Cente... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets April 19, 2007 I am a displaced Austinite - As of last week now living in upstate New York (Binghamton). As I was leaving town - a friend presented me with a pound bag of bluebonnet seeds. A thoughtful gift - but I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Obtaining seeds for mutant white bluebonnet April 18, 2007 I have seen a white bluebonnet in Brenham on Easter and wondered how rare the white ones are and how you get seeds for those. Are there any special directions on collecting seeds for planting next fa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets April 14, 2007 Do bluebonnets, being a legume, contribute anything beneficial to the soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lupines for attracting deer in South Carolina April 06, 2007 I live in SC and was watching a TV show called "Making it Grow" and they did a segment on Lupine. The lady on the show said that the plant attracted whitetail deer and I was wondering if that was t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets April 05, 2007 I live in Hereford, Texas, near Amarillo. What would be the closest area for us to see fields of bluebonnets and when? Is it Wichita Falls? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive common giant mustard March 14, 2007 I have been seeing a lot of a small shrubby plants with yellow flowers all over Austin, mainly along roadsides. Back in my day the first wildflowers of Spring were the paintbrushes and the bluebonnets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 13, 2007 I want to go to the Willow loop north 7 miles or so of Fredericksburg to see the bluebonnets in bloom this year but don't know when the best time would be to see this spectacular view. I plan to be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blooming time in Austin for wildflowers March 12, 2007 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants!! I am a wildflower artist coming for my first spring visit to Austin to exhibit in the Artisan's Festival. As a wildflower fanatic, I am hoping to see and photograph some of "... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets March 10, 2007 It is the first week of March in northeast Oklahoma and I received a wildflower mix that is 60% Lupinus texensis or Texas bluebonnets. Should I wait until fall to plant or can I cold treat or do som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Sources of cut native wildflowers March 06, 2007 I am preparing for my garden club's annual flower show and I have been assigned Southern Graces in San Antonio. Is there a source for cut bluebonnets or indian paintbrushes? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reversion of maroon bluebonnets back to blue March 01, 2007 In the fall, I bought a flat of Texas bluebonnets. They are blooming now, and it turns out they are actually maroon bluebonnets! Which is really too bad, because I want blue bluebonnets. Do you know i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Prediction on 2007 wildflower blooming chances February 25, 2007 Do you have a prediction on the wildflower season this year? Last year was very poor compared to other years and my sister from Georgia is wanting to visit this spring to go on wildflower expeditions... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best planting time for wildflower seeds in Austin, TX February 13, 2007 When would be the best time to plant wild flower seeds and mow an area where we want to grow wild flowers in Austin Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Prime wildflower bloom viewing times in Texas January 31, 2007 I am planning to drive from Wisconsin to San Antonio in the spring. My schedule is flexible, so I would like to time the trip with the wildflower bloom. I grew up in Texas, but I can't remember when ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets January 30, 2007 When will the bluebonnets bloom in the Hill Country this spring? Please let us know. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of Sphaegneticola trilobata as non-native invasive plant January 24, 2007 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I have some wedelia growing but would like clarification on the type whether it is the texana or trilobata. Is the texana a bushy plant? Mine is more of the sprawling/tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets January 09, 2007 My wife has recently contacted and met relatives from Texas (her father was a war baby born in the 1940's). Her new found Aunt Sarah has kindly given me some Bluebonnet seeds to plant "a corner of T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More on bluebonnets January 09, 2007 I have had an area in my yard where I have established bluebonnets. Since we had such a dismal showing in the spring of 2006 I was looking forward to a great show for 2007. Lo and behold I had about... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rhizobium inoculant for Leucaena and othr leguminous tree seedlings January 02, 2007 What sort of Rhizobium inoculant would be appropriate for Leucaena and other leguminous tree seedlings? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers for wedding mid-spring in Austin, TX November 10, 2006 My fiancé and I are both native Texans, and we are looking to have a beautiful yet simple wedding on March 31, 2007. We would love to use TX wildflowers. Our colors are white, orange, and blue. Wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Viewing times for wildflowers from Ouchitas to Austin November 03, 2006 I'm a geographer and wildflower enthusiast considering a spring visit to the Austin area and want to find out the best time to view wildflowers and farm crops around Austin and also on the drive from... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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