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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| Identification of groundcover plant in north Georgia mountains September 16, 2011 Was trail riding in N GA mountains - saw pretty ground cover plant ? vine - small green leaves with whitish borders almost look like clover leaves and has small bright red red berries - this was Aug 2... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought tolerant plants for IN August 23, 2011 What are some plants that would do well in an east facing area near my front door? I live in Indianapolis IN. I need something that is drought resistant and will fill in a 4x3 foot walled off area th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for a slope in MD August 04, 2011 Looking for a groundcover to hold a shady slope undercut with tree roots in Maryland and to prevent further erosion. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen ground cover for San Antonio August 03, 2011 Is there a short, evergreen, drought tolerant ground cover which will tolerate light traffic that can be used instead of grass? San Antonio, Texas View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery Ground Cover in WI July 11, 2011 I am trying to identify a ground cover plant that has started growing in my yard (I'm in central Wisconsin). It is very short, only about 1-2 inches tall and is very thick covering the ground. It h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for Plano, Texas July 06, 2011 Looking for perennial seeds, maximum height 6 inches. Basically, a ground cover. Flowering would be nice but not #1 on list. Medium to maximum sun. Don't have the best soil, but fertilizer, sprink... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for groundcover in between flagstones in patio in Sugarland, TX. July 05, 2011 We are looking for a ground cover to plant in between our flagstone on our courtyard patio. The courtyard is full sun and we currently have a crushed rock-like substance in between the pieces. I thou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Groundcover for Laredo Texas July 04, 2011 I am in Laredo, TX and no longer want to waste water on grass. I would like to pull it all out and plant native, drought resistant ground cover - low growing, between 6-12 inches, sun and partial sha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low groundcovers for MA June 29, 2011 We are developing ground mounted solar installations in southeastern MA. We are seeking advice for native groundcover species for our various regions (coastal meadows, etc). Species like bearberry and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-invasive sun ground cover for Atlanta GA June 29, 2011 I would like to find a non-invasive ground cover for zone 7 (Atlanta, GA) in full sun. I had a bed of ivy with daylilies on a slight slope. I have pulled up the ivy but want something that is not as i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flower friends for roses in Tyler Texas June 24, 2011 I have planted some double red Knockout roses and am looking for plants to go with them to add blue, white, pink and yellow hues. I am interested in planting something that will act as a ground cover ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacing Weeds with Native Plants in Dallas Area May 29, 2011 I have a large oak tree in my front yard and lots and lots of miscellaneous weeds (clover, chickweed, stickers, etc.). I am wanting to grow grass in my front yard, that is shaded pretty much most of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX? May 16, 2011 I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for a sunny location April 20, 2011 Looking for Native ground cover for sunny slope in LaRue TX… I would like something that will cover year-round and flower in Spring/Summer/Fall. If it has a berry in the fall for birds and attracts bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Drought resistant ground cover for Rancho Cucamonga CA April 16, 2011 I live in Southern California. Could you please recommend a low maintenance, drought resistant ground cover that does not attract rodents to create as their home (more than one suggestion would be GR... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What will grow in red clay in Conroe TX? April 10, 2011 We just built a new home and the foundation was poured on red clay which is what my flowerbed area is in. Could you please tell me what can be planted that will grow. I am looking for ground cover, fl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-toxic Groundcover for North-Central Texas April 07, 2011 I need a creeping ground cover for shade that is non-toxic to dogs. I had planned on Swedish ivy until I read it was toxic. Is Asian jasmine toxic? Or, do you have any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for sun in Phenix City, AL April 04, 2011 I live in Phenix City, AL and am new to planting. I have a 60 x 15 feet slope that is just dirt. I am going to till it next week and want to plant some various ground cover plants (that will grow to c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground Cover for Austin March 18, 2011 What are some ground cover or low growing shrubs that will do well in afternoon sun only in the 78750 zip code? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low groundcover for Possum Kingdom March 02, 2011 I am seeking a very low ground cover (advised so snakes and rats won't take cover), that is drought resistant and grows on a rocky steep incline to the lake in full afternoon/evening sun at Possum ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for beachside planting in Florida March 02, 2011 What type of ground cover is best for beachside planting. Looking to replace lawn with salt tolerant, weed resistant, drought tolerant, little mowing, insect resistant ground cover. Any flowers are a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for Southern California near the beach February 27, 2011 I'm in Southern California near the beach (3 miles away). I am looking for a front lawn ground cover that can stand many hours of daily direct sunlight, but will also get cool breezes off the ocean a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for a sunny hillside in TX February 20, 2011 For many years I have had two beds of English Ivy under medium size pine trees. Home is on a hillside, moderately rocky. Last Spring my yardman persuaded me to severely trim lower limbs of the pines t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for under a maple tree in DE December 22, 2010 In my front yard in Newark, Delaware, I have a HUGE maple tree that shades the whole yard and most of its roots are visible and make the yard very "bumpy." Consequently, grass does not grow well the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover for East Texas November 07, 2010 I live in the country of east Texas and wish to grow native ground covers around my house and property. I have no way to control this growth, as I have no fences or borders. I have sandy soil and th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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