Native Plants
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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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| Broad leaved evergreens for DC May 06, 2011 We are looking for a flowering evergreen shrub, native to the mid-Atlantic, that grows in part shade but will tolerate full sun. We have been researching rhododendrons and azaleas but are concerned a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are any cherry trees poisonous from Clovis CA? April 30, 2011 Are there some cherry trees that are poisonous? if so, how do you identify them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is the Texas buckeye as poisonous as the Ohio buckeye from Carrollton TX April 10, 2011 Is the Texas buckeye as poisonous as Ohio Buckeye? 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 |  | |
| Failure to bloom of Eve's necklacepod in Austin April 04, 2011 I have a young Eve's necklace that never blooms in the spring. I wonder every spring if this will be the year, but the blooms never come. Is there a reason for this? The tree is about three or fou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Nothoscordum bivalve (crow poison, false garlic) really poison April 02, 2011 Your Native Plants Database notes that False Garlic (aka, Crow Poison), Nothoscordum bivalve, is poisonous. Many other sites also state this, but I have been unable to find a reference giving specifi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Allergy-causing plant in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area March 17, 2011 Do you know what is growing (or floating in the air) in the DFW metroplex now, but not growing or floating the rest of the year? I have a 3 year old that has gotten extremely itchy this time of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel seeds to livestock and dogs? March 09, 2011 Are the seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel poisonous to livestock or dogs? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need to know if coral honeysuckle is toxic to dogs in North Port, FL. March 01, 2011 Could you please tell me if coral honeysuckle is toxic to dogs. I would like to plant it in my backyard, but do not plant anything that would be toxic to my dog if she decided to chew on it. Thank y... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dogs developing allergic skin problems in Waco TX February 24, 2011 We have 2 West Highland White terriers..since we moved 2 yrs. ago, they have developed TERRIBLE skin problems at our new home, about 5 miles from our old home, in Waco. What contact plants, shrub... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poisonous plants of Texas Bays and Estuaries February 24, 2011 What is a poisonous native plants of the Bay and Estuary system in Southeast Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Root cuttings for non-native, poisonous oleander from Mobile AL December 16, 2010 I need help with best method to root cuttings from my oleander tree. Please advise best method. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-poisonous Hedge for Southern California November 27, 2010 What is a non-poisonous (to dogs), fast-growing, evergreen plant that I can grow as a tall screening hedge for privacy? I find differing opinions on Carolina Cherry and Podocarpus gracilior. Thank you... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is the fruit of Bradford Pears toxic to dogs? November 16, 2010 I need to know if the little Berries on the Bradford Pear trees are toxic to dogs? My labrador loves eating them. Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Searching for poisonous plants from Kansas City November 13, 2010 Looking on how to acquire wourali vine, upas, or arrow poison wood. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mulberry sap in the bloodstream from Kansas City November 13, 2010 What affect does mulberry sap have if put in contact with the blood stream? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are wild cherry trees poisonous for horses? October 31, 2010 I have just purchased a pony and have been told that wild cherry trees could cause harm or even kill her. Is this true and where can I go to get a list of all the poisonous plants, shrubs and trees fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Loropetalum poisonous to horses in Lake City FL? October 26, 2010 Is loropetalum poisonous to horses? I know it is a member of the witch hazel family but cannot find a definitive answer about loropetalum itself. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are the leaves of the Fruitless Palm Tree poisonous in Redding California? October 18, 2010 Are Fruitless Palm Tree leaves poisonous? I was poked in the hand with a leaf of one of the branches. It was a dead leaf/Branch? Please Help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Miami gardener needs to know toxicity of Cordia boissieri October 12, 2010 Hello. I have a question about Cordia boissieri. Is it toxic for humans (all parts of the plant)? I want to plant it in South Florida, in an area with children. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Horse-friendly plants for Powell OH September 24, 2010 I am looking for horse friendly plants, i.e., shrubs, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted in wet area in Ohio. Thank you in advance for your assistance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Perennials non-toxic to horses in Thayer MO September 21, 2010 I live in South Central Missouri. I am looking for a plant/shrub to plant in pots (our soil is clay and very rocky)to landscape the front of our barn. This plant can't be harmful to horses and must b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to Remove Pokeweed in Greenburg, Pennsylvania September 10, 2010 Last year I purchased a home with 3 acres of land and it is infested with pokeweeds,Phytolacca americana! I have small children and know this is a poisonous plant. Could you please tell me a way to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Petals of flowers on cake from London August 28, 2010 Hi could you please confirm whether it is safe to position an amaryllis on top of a fresh cream cake (it will not be eaten, nor will the stem touch the cream, it will be positioned in a non toxic vial... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Petals of flowers on cake from London August 28, 2010 Hi could you confirm that Gemini, Lisianthus and Lilies are non toxic if positioned onto a fresh cream cake (stem will be paced into a vial but the petals will come into contact with the cream). Thank... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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