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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| Perennial ground cover for hillside in Holmdel NJ April 25, 2014 I live in NJ. I would like to use a perennial ground cover for my landscaping bed on a hill with full sun and deer resistant. It's a good size landscaping bed that is facing east (southeast). What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Picking flowers of bulbs from Cloverdale CA April 22, 2014 Will picking the flowers of native bulb plants, such as Trillium, Blue Dicks, Fawn Lilies, kill the plant or keep it from reproducing? I do not condone this action but know people who do it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why do conifers kill Texas hummingbird sage from Gray GA April 15, 2014 Why do conifers kill Texas hummingbird sage? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting under Pine Trees in Pocatello ID April 08, 2014 Hi I was wondering if you could give me some ideas of what I could plant under and near some pine trees for my area. The trees are huge and so it is also constant shade where I want to plant. Thanks f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a Narrow, Dry, Shaded Site in Georgia April 03, 2014 I am writing from Valdosta, GA. Could you please suggest three perennial shrubs and/or plants that flower at different times of the spring and summer? Also ones that can be planted in a 2 ft. wide s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Suggestions for Shady Site under Trees in Alabama April 03, 2014 I live in Montgomery, AL and have a bare area (20' x 5’) that's shady and soil erosion is a problem. Grass stops growing at the drip line of the trees here. Do you have any suggestions for growing s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Suggestions for a Lake Home in Wayne County, MO April 03, 2014 We have a lake home in Wayne County, MO at Lake Wappapello. The soil is very rocky. We recently cleared an area around our home of assorted dead trees, some cedars and what seemed like tons of vines. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Less Maintenance Plant Suggestions for New Raised Bed in Henderson, NV. April 03, 2014 We have a newly constructed raised garden bed. I was wondering what kind of plants would be appropriate to plant this springtime in Henderson, NV with less maintenance because I work full time. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Turk's Cap not returning from Plano TX April 02, 2014 My Turk's Cap has shown no signs of coming back this year as of March 31. I pruned to about 12 inches because it was so bushy last year and it was not mulched thru our harsh winter (10 degree low and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Availability of Heliotropium angiospermum from Austin April 01, 2014 I have admired the Wildflower Center's Heliotropium angiospermum (Scorpian's Tail) for the great number of butterflies it attracts. I would really love to purchase one on these plants, but don't se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the name of the Texas Wildflower that smells like grape koolaid? March 28, 2014 Can you tell me the name of the Texas wildflower that smells like grape koolaid? I live in north west Texas and every spring, the low growing purple flowers line spots along the roadside. It's a joy ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning of non-native oxblood lilies from Austin March 27, 2014 My Oxblood Lilies flowered quite late last Fall. Their foliage is still very green. Can I cut it down now or do I have to wait until it goes brown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowers from bulbs from Denton TX March 26, 2014 I am slowly converting my landscaping to as much native regional plants as possible. Are there any flowers from bulbs that you could recommend? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will native Galium aparine be a problem in Austin garden? March 25, 2014 Should I be concerned that my yard is overrun with "sticky weed" (Galium aparine) in the early spring? Specifically, about five years ago I undertook converting about half my back yard into a na... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Recovering neglected garden space from Grapevine TX March 22, 2014 I live in Grapevine TX (Dallas). I just moved into a house where almost the entire large backyard is covered by oak trees that shed tons of leaves throughout our mild falls/winters. The yard has not... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Natives for wet soil in Cincinnati OH March 21, 2014 I live in Cincinnati and the soil in my back yard is wet (soggy) all year round. There are moss and grass growing in the yard. The area is shaded in the afternoon but receives sun earlier in the day. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflower Center work on non-native, invasive Bastard Cabbage from Austin March 20, 2014 Still have cabbage weeds that infiltrated Austin awhile back. How did Wildflower Center resolve it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennials for Missouri City, TX March 19, 2014 I checked all the questions for my area and still need help. What are some native perennials for southeast Texas View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Different colors of Argemone spp. from McAllen TX March 16, 2014 I took pictures of at least 5 colors of pricklepoppy today. Is this common to have so many colors in one area? How do I harvest the seedpods and when is the best time to do so? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Effect on taste of honey from pollen gathered by honeybees in Appleton WI March 09, 2014 in the flower box.. We are planting perennial or self-planting annuals on our fields and open areas to feed honey bees for our apiary. We found a source and then lost it telling what effect these wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Salvia farinacea and rust fungus from Kerrville TX February 22, 2014 Are Henry Duelberg salvias (Salvia farinacea)susceptible to rust fungus? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Mimosa pudica poisonous from Janesville WI February 21, 2014 I have just recently learned of Mimosa Pudica also known as the sensitive plant. I see using the USDA website that it can be found in the USA so I think that covers the North America aspect. I have b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ecosysystem with pecan at center from Austin February 21, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I would like to create a native tree guild around a mature pecan. It shares its space with native shrubs and ephemerals but I would like to add a nitrogen fixing plant. I am... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Butterfly garden from Buffalo, NY February 20, 2014 I'd like to replace the grass in my front yard with a native butterfly garden that will suit the larval and adult stages of butterflies in Western New York. The patch in question faces north and gets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Invasive thistles in wildflower field from Dripping Springs TX February 17, 2014 How to get rid of "native" thistles.. I have a large natural field that used to grow a variety of wildflowers, but in 2011 and 2012 it was taken over by thistles. I'm sure they are "native" Texas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low Ground Cover for Steep, Shaded PA Site February 17, 2014 I am located in Downingtown, PA, right on the border between Zone 6 and 7. Please provide a recommendation of a native ground cover for the following conditions: steep slope (greater than 45%), full s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hardy plants for Oklahoma raised garden at Oklahoma school February 12, 2014 I am planting a raised flower bed with fifth graders. It will have a little shade in the morning and evening possibly. What plants are durable and can withstand OK summer heat. We will be planting ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Getting milkweed seeds into seed mixes from Milwaukee WI February 07, 2014 My husband and I are concerned about the Monarch butterfly migration and have started an effort to get milkweed planted along some bike trails here in Wisconsin. This made me think of Ladybird Johnso... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Simsia calva from Albuquerque NM January 27, 2014 Hi - I was given some simsia calva seed from the LBJ wildflower center. It doesn't have a lot of info about starting the seeds, so any help is much appreciated! I tried starting some outdoors last ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need plants beneficial or attractive to bees in Dripping Springs, TX January 27, 2014 Can you provide a specific list of plants beneficial or attractive to honey bees in the Texas Hill Country (we raise bees in Dripping Springs, TX.) Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflower Meadow for Poth, TX January 22, 2014 I recently cleared some underbrush from a virgin pasture, with large oaks and mesquites scattered through it, and was wondering if it was too late to plant wildflowers? If not, what varieties of wildf... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sources for ruellia from Houston January 19, 2014 I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Use of non-native pothos for outside wall from Las Vegas NV January 05, 2014 I am in Las Vegas, NV. I live in a cottage-style apartment so I have a north facing porch with no one on the west so I get some there (and have an inherited cactus probably a yard all round) I would ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of endangered plant Texas trailing phlox from Carrollton TX December 26, 2013 1. How many seeds does the Texas trailing phlox produce per season? 2. Can the seeds be taken from a living plant without hurting it? Thank You! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When should salvia greggii be pruned from Austin December 12, 2013 Should salvia greggii be pruned in fall/winter? I thought I read onsite that all woody perennials should be left untouched or pruned to 6 inches. Does this apply to salvia greggii? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Colorful flowering plants in shade of live oak in Louisiana November 29, 2013 What colorful flowering plants can be grown near the shady base of live oak trees in the Deep South? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Managing a wet area in Austin November 18, 2013 I suspect that my backyard lies at the very top of a creek watershed. However, all of the water flowing through it gets blocked by a solid stone wall. Whenever we get a significant rain event, part ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting bluebonnets in late Fall from Georgetown TX November 08, 2013 Transplanting bluebonnets in October? Neighbor wants to share abundance of rosettes and good size plants- any suggestions or warnings? Will freeze/frost protection be needed if we get December freeze... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for church gardens in Ft. Worth TX November 07, 2013 Second attempt. Our church has many gardens in Fort Worth, TX. There are gardens for blue,red,yellow,white,purple,orange,pink,mixed,community garden,roses, and more. I am interested in the la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Indian Paintbrush in Corona CA November 05, 2013 I have a very mature Indian Paintbrush Plant that was becoming too large for the area I had originally planted it in, so I transplanted it to an area much more suited for its size. I reviewed the que... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Strappy leaves on rudbeckias from Houston October 31, 2013 My Rudbeckias keep sending up odd shoots with strappy leaves on them. Should these be cut off? What is their purpose? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter care of Asclepias tuberosa from Austin October 31, 2013 We have several asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed). Monarch caterpillars have found and denuded them. We are excited about all of the Monarch caterpillars, but unsure of what to do next. What do we... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A Bounty of Edibles for New Braunfels Texas October 25, 2013 I was hoping you could suggest a few plants that would serve several purposes. I live in New Braunfels, TX and would like to incorporate as many drought tolerant plants which would support birds, but... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Correction of tree name from Bay Point CA October 16, 2013 The tree should of been Mulberry don't know how it was changed!! Tuesday - October 15, 2013 From: Bay Point, CA Region: California Topic: Non-Natives, Cacti and Succulents, Trees Title: Non-... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native alternative to tulips from Milford MI October 15, 2013 What could be a good alternative to tulips? I have not seen a native plant quite like a tulip (except a tulip tree). A good alternative should bloom in April or May and have showy flowers. I searched... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Habiturf lawn in Carson City, NV October 15, 2013 I planted habiturf just south of Reno NV May 5. First two months no or little germination because nite temps too cold. Now doing ok except battling purslane and redstem filaree.. SO, I notice bare/spa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pink wildflowers on DFW runways in April-June October 10, 2013 I fly thru DFW quite often and have noticed in April-June timeframe the runways are dotted with a light pink colored wildflower. Have asked the DFW Customer Service folks for the name, ones I've ask... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification in Norman, OK October 10, 2013 I have two large plants in my back yard that just sprang up on their own this year. They are beautiful and the butterflies and bees love them. I think they are a type of milkweed, but they don't lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting times and sun for native plants from Austin October 06, 2013 When to plant Phacelia congesta seeds? Can Maximilian sunflowers tolerate partial shade? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin October 01, 2013 I have learned so much from this site! Thank you! I am getting Married this March and I am hoping to use Texas wildflowers for the centerpieces. I hope to grow them in containers indoors and have the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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