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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| Indoor and Outdoor, Fast Growing Plants for California October 22, 2015 I’m looking for the best plants for me. I have small kids so they would have to be safe. I would like them to be able to grow inside or outside. I would love for them to grow fast and reproduce fast. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is my Crimson queen maple dying? October 20, 2015 Is my Crimson queen maple dying if it's leaves are turning brown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible transplant shock in Red Oak in Albany, TX October 20, 2015 We planted a new tree last spring which we were told was a Texas Red Oak. The soil where it was planted is hard clay. We have had a watering bag on it and have watered an average of 2x per week throug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Puncture wound from Blue Agave leaf. October 19, 2015 A blue agave leave went through my glove and into my hand. It's swelled up a bit and hurts. Is this just a passing thing. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants that do not attract any kind of wildlife. October 19, 2015 Hi I live in Bexar County, Texas and I was wondering what would be some good NATIVE plants that could be planted in yards that do not attract any kind of wildlife (so no berries, nuts, fruits, thick c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need help for diseased Cherry Laurel tree in Houston October 19, 2015 A couple of weeks ago the leaves on my decade old cherry laurel began to turn brown. Now they are entirely brown. I have not changed the way in which I cared for it, but about three days ago I noticed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing Persimmon plants from the base of Live oaks October 15, 2015 I live in Bastrop county and have hundreds of Texas wild persimmons at the base of my huge oak trees. Should I cut some of them? I am worried they are taking up water my oaks need. I like them but do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Finding a source of Straggler daisy October 14, 2015 I've decided on Straggler daisy but am having trouble finding it. It would be perfect for me. Do I have to wait until next Spring for it to show up? Can it be ordered through a nursery or a landscape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Searching for seeds or plants of Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata October 13, 2015 My daughter is researching different grasses that help stop coastal erosion. Where can we get seeds or plant plugs for salt grass and salt meadow cord grass? We live near New Orleans Louisiana. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suggestions for vegetables to grow in North Texas October 12, 2015 Hi, I want some suggestions on vegetable plants that withstands North Texas winter icy weather? and when to plant them? Thanks, Meena. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia. October 12, 2015 Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of evergreen tree at Barton Springs in Austin TX October 11, 2015 I am trying to identify an evergreen tree at Barton Springs in Austin. It is growing on the south lawn overlooking the pool. It has needles arranged in a fan like shape and makes a kind of crown-shape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen for sunny, dry area under a maple in Connecticut October 10, 2015 I have a sloped, very sunny, dry area under a maple. I was wondering if Sweet Fern would be a likely candidate for this area. I would like it to be evergreen and to be able to survive under mounds of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Royal Poinciana and Royal Empress trees the same? October 09, 2015 Hi, can you tell me if the Royal empress tree and the Royal Poinciana are the same tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ficus pumila on Stucco Walls October 06, 2015 Can the creeping fig vine damage the stucco covered walls? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Using seaweed in compost October 05, 2015 What do you think about using seaweed in compost? I live on the Gulf Coast View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) compete with turf grasses October 05, 2015 For my yard in central Austin Does horse herb, Calyptocarpus vialis help or damage the growth of native short grasses? The grasses include Curly Mesquite and Blue Gamma planted early in the spring or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Restoring riverfront from Blanco Flood October 04, 2015 We have cleared our riverfront from the Blanco Flood and I am now looking for help in replanting native trees/grass on our property. Our home was in the Flood of Hayes county Memorial Weekend. I am ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Tree for Narrow Space in PA October 04, 2015 I have a narrow space along my cedar fence in full sun. A Japanese maple approximately 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide is failing there due to winter rodent damage to its base. I would like to replace i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting October 04, 2015 I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What are the Native Dianthus? October 03, 2015 What species of Dianthus is native to North America? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Overwintering Ruellia brittoniana in Missouri October 03, 2015 I live in Missouri and have five beautiful Mexican Petunia or Ruellia brittoniana planted and established in my landscaping. With winter fast approaching, I would love advise on how to winterize the p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing Agapanthus October 03, 2015 When and how do I separate Agapanthus? Should I do it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to Deal with Leggy Artemisia 'Silver Mound' October 03, 2015 I have two Artemisia (I think 'Silver Mound') in full sun in West Austin. They have been happily growing there for the past 10 or so years. Both were hard-hit by last winter's cold weather and did... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Palm Leaves Turning Brown October 03, 2015 My palm plant leaves are turning brown starting at the tip and moving down the leaf. I've changed my watering amounts, and moved it from the direct light to partial light and back. It's not by any ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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