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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| Rooting hybrid Savannah Holly from cuttings from Gainesville FL March 04, 2011 I need instructions on rooting the Savannah Holly from cuttings. I understand that seedlings will not be true to the parent..is this true? Please help. What type of soil mix should I use? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of evergreen sumac by cuttings from Cedar Creek TX March 02, 2011 I seek an ”Evergreen Sumac” propagation method by cuttings. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of native plants by seed in Round Rock TX February 26, 2011 I'm trying to include more native and adapted low water use plants in the landscaping of my yard in Round Rock Texas. Due to a limited budget I've been collecting seeds from plants around the area ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscape services in Austin February 21, 2011 I just bought a property in Austin with a terrific outdoor space. However, I came to find that the previous owner added jasmine and many other invasive species. I'd like to rid the entire space of th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| At what age does Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) begin to flower in Pflugerville, TX? January 13, 2011 At what age does a female possumhaw (Ilex decidua) usually bloom and set fruit? Or is there a way to identify the female other than by the presence of berries? I grew a number from seed and want to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where can seeds or plants of Ruellia nudiflora be obtained from Cedar Park TX January 10, 2011 Where can I purchase Ruellia nudiflora seeds or plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tall Evergreens for Pennsylvania January 06, 2011 I want to plant tall evergreen trees that grow really tall in deep shade or that I can plant already fairly large and withstand the shock of planting in a mature state and live in deep shade. I thank ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for an apple tree to plant in Austin, TX. December 08, 2010 I want to plant an apple tree in my yard that bears fruit and will provide habitat and shade. Are any varieties that will do well in the South Austin area? And do I have to plant two trees to get fru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grass for Austin to sow in the early spring December 02, 2010 What is the best native grass seed to plant in the Austin area? What is the best time of year to plant? I'll be planting in an area that has no real established grass. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oakleaf hydrangea in Indiana November 18, 2010 I was given a start of an oak leaf hydrangea by a generous friend from her garden. I have been searching for "what to expect" about this plant. I planted it last year and it grew..this year..but d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| No berries on dogwoods in GA November 18, 2010 I have 4 native dogwood trees. I have owned the property for 4 years. They have never produced berries. Can you tell me why? are the trees male and female, and could I have all males? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Properties of Nolina species November 16, 2010 I bought two plants that were labeled "Nolina" but one has round leaves and the other has flat leaves with serrations. Are they two different species? Also, can they be divided or is there only on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Do Fleming yaupons make pollen November 09, 2010 I have been told that all Will Fleming yaupons are male and can serve as effective pollinators for female yaupons (the females I have are Pride of Houston variety). Is this true? Also, can dwarf yau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Harvesting bittersweet from Ames IA November 06, 2010 How do I harvest my bittersweet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Big Red Sage from Seed in San Antonio November 04, 2010 I harvested some seed this year from my Big Red Salvia (Salvia penstemonoides). I have searched multiple sites looking for information on growing this wonderful salvia but cannot locate any informati... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting wildflower seeds in a drought in Grimes Co. TX November 03, 2010 I have a dilemma, shared by others I'm sure. My place, which is in Oakland prairie, has seen no real rainfall since sometime in August, and the soil (sand, loam, and blackland clays)is extremely dry.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do pecans and bluebonnets only bloom every other year from New Braunfels TX November 03, 2010 Is it true that bluebonnets only seed every other year? I know we see bluebonnets every year, so this is quite a mystery to us. Also, is it the same with pecan trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seed propagation for Goldeneye Sunflower for Austin October 30, 2010 I have been unable to find Golden Eye seed, and am therefore thinking about harvesting seed from existing plants. My question is: At what stage of the development do I make the harvest of fully develo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting False Gaura in Austin October 27, 2010 I am transplanting my false gaura. Do they transplant well, and should I cut them back? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Magnolia from Seed in Dallas October 20, 2010 I recently visited the property that had once been my grandmother's. Lots of memories. The house burned down years ago, but the magnolia tree that she loved still stood. I gathered several dried seed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why is my Horstail falling over in Austin? October 14, 2010 I have a Horsetail plant. It was doing great but now, for the last few months, its not growing straight! Its falling over. Why? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Liatris elegans in Lubbock TX October 14, 2010 I am going to harvest several Liatris Elegans.I want to grow as many as possible out of what I harvest. What will be the best method? I have plenty of land at my home for growing these plants.I will ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Student wants pointers to increase germination rate of Salvia farinacea in Lubbock, Texas October 06, 2010 I am a student at Texas Tech, studying environmental horticulture. I have been doing research on Salvia farinacea as well as a number of other natives. I've just been assigned a project to increase t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating Eustoma exaltatum from seed in Lucas TX September 27, 2010 Hello I know that Texas bluebells Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum are supposed to be difficult to start from seed. Does Mr. Smarty Plants have any helpful hints? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with a Hackberry tree in San Antonio. September 23, 2010 Our old hackberry tree fell over last year. Now we have dozens of new ones popping up in the same area. We want to transplant a few to another area of the yard, but they aren't surviving. It appears ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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