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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| Native Plants for a Steep Slope in TN July 15, 2014 Hello, I live in Knoxville, TN and have a very steep slope in our backyard. There is a lot of water erosion causing our grass to be covered with red dirt. I would love to try to plant something on thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees Planted Over Underground Parking Garage July 13, 2014 I live in an apartment complex. We have trees planted over an underground parking lot. I know the names of all the trees and I want to know how much soil they should be planted in to NOT cause damage ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildlife Attracting Plants for a Shady Patio July 03, 2014 We have a concrete patio that receives 2-3 hours of sunlight a day, so the only plants we will be able to grow will be in container. We are looking for plants that do well in shade, and containers and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Hedge for Maryland Porch July 03, 2014 I am working on a screen/fence, which is a barrier hedge between our house and our next door neighbor's house to add privacy to our screen porch and dining area, especially in winter. The fence would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problem with American Beautyberry in Houston. July 02, 2014 My American Beautyberry is dying one branch at a time. The entire plant looks great, now flowering and starting to put out berries. Then one or two branches will completely die. Trim those off, wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failure of Rock roses to bloom in Wimberly June 26, 2014 How do we get our rock roses to bloom. Our bushy plant has grown well but for the last two years seed pods form directly without noticeable blooms View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening Plants for Cape Cod June 17, 2014 I need to plant some fairly high growing leafy plants/bushes/trees for privacy and as a sound barrier in (the remains of) a pine forest in Cape Cod, MA. The pines grow tall and skinny so that we can s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedge shrubs that attract butterflies & birds in Virginia June 13, 2014 Hi - I need recommendations for north VA hedge shrubs that attract butterflies and birds. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 12, 2014 We live in Magnolia TX and have a shrub we can't identify. It's evergreen and has waxy leaves with a serrated edge that are about an inch in length. They have pink flowers and they grow to ab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need for smaller tree with less invasive roots from Ft. Worth TX June 07, 2014 The sycamore in the front yard has developed roots larger than the branches. They have decided that the water and sewer lines are perfect to acquire their water from. For this reason it will be coming... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-berrying possumhaw from Austin June 05, 2014 I planted a possumhaw 8 to 10 years ago for the beautiful winter color, it has never set berries. I see tiny white flowers along the branches each spring, and always hope this will be the year, but I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Decline of sheared dwarf hollies from Rockwall TX May 31, 2014 I have 20 year old established dwarf yaupon hollies in front of the house that I trim every year and shape the same. This year the new growth that was 2 1/2 " long I noticed the new leaves were curli... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hanging Baskets for Batson, TX May 23, 2014 What plants can I put in hanging baskets for my shady porch? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen that Grows to Three Feet in Michigan May 22, 2014 I have searched your site and can’t find what I need. I live in the middle of Michigan. I need a shrub that stays green year round and only grows to 3 feet or less. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cuttings from beautyberry from Stockport OH May 22, 2014 My beauty berry is starting a new growth about 2ft from main plant, can I dig this and part of the root without hurting the main part, if so, when? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of possumhaw from Austin May 22, 2014 I planted a possumhaw holly plant about 3 months ago and am really excited to watch it grow from its current 3-foot height. It is starting to berry right now. My question is about those berries: (Cle... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native astilbe resemblance to non-native poisonous castor bean from Tomslake BC May 21, 2014 I have a plant that looks like a castor bean but it has flowers like a Younique Silvery Pink Astilbe. Need to id because castor bean is poisonous. This plant grows up to 5 feet in height. Thank you ! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting American beautyberry in Cordele GA May 19, 2014 Is mid to late May too late in the season to transplant Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Small Shrub for a Foundation Planting in Michigan May 15, 2014 I need a small, native, perennial shrub for a foundation planting in Michigan. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to Control Pests on Plants for Sale May 15, 2014 I am renting a closed spot at a flea market, and am having trouble with several infestations at once, and I am not sure how to control them. I am currently having trouble with aphids, whiteflies, and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Hedge Suggestions for Tampa, Florida May 15, 2014 My back wall is made of stone and is about 6' high. We are very close to a busy road. I need a plant that will reach about 7-8 feet high or a hedge to reduce some of the noise. What plant/hedge would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need a native, evergreen shrub to replace Pittosporum in Austin, TX May 13, 2014 We've had a PITTOSPORUM for years as a foundation planting on the southwest corner of our central Austin home. Now that it's gone, I would like to replace with a native, non-invasive shrub. What are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Muhlenbergia dumosa safe for horses from Austin May 13, 2014 Is Muhlenbergia dumosa safe for horses? Will horses eat it? I have a client who has a mini-horse who visits her property on occasion, and I want to ensure that what I plant is both safe for the hors... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Webs on limbs of evergreen sumac from Austin May 13, 2014 We have a mature Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) that has spider webs on the end of some limbs. The end of the those limbs have died although new growth is coming on further up the limb. We live in th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Erosion Control for a Shaded Slope in Aliquippa PA May 07, 2014 What plants. shrubs or trees can I plant to retard soil erosion on a steep shaded hillside in PA View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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