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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| Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio January 03, 2013 I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for ground pine plants from Ligonier PA December 21, 2012 Where can I purchase "ground pine plants? I want to use them for erosion control. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover under Spruces from West Chester PA December 06, 2012 Trying to get a native groundcover (or any grass/wildflower/fern) planting established under a small stand of spruces. Established stand (30+ years old), so lots of needles on ground. Just about tot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Crows foot plant for Christmas wreaths from Millsboro DE November 04, 2012 I am looking for a plant called crows foot to make wreaths for Christmas. Where do I find this plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for streambank area in Oregon September 14, 2012 I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cottage-style landscaping for Chesapeake VA August 02, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plant staff, I recently moved into a cottage style home that has a poured concrete/paver patio. I am trying to come up with ideas for plantings that would 1. give me a bit of privacy,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants wilting too quickly in Toledo OH May 27, 2012 The garden I have had recent issues with plants wilting all too quickly. I would like to know what types of plants would be hearty for the climate in Toledo, Ohio. I have a partly sunny front yard and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pool-side ornamentals for south Louisiana May 07, 2012 We live in south Louisiana and are re-doing the plants around our pool. What are some low maintenance, small shrubs (flowering) or other ornamentals that would be good in this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification from Virginia May 03, 2012 We found lots of asparagus like stalks growing randomly in our field here in central Virginia. But, instead of an asparagus head it has a tight cluster of leaves that are small and roundish. Any idea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion control for a North Carolina creek side February 29, 2012 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I noticed a question on your website recommending NC native grasses and plants to help prevent erosion on a sloping backyard, including the use of an erosion blanket. The pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Container plants for Arlington TX February 10, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, I just moved to Arlington, TX. I am trying to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. What flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit combinations can I put together that wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| transplanting Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) October 25, 2011 Behind our house is a huge grotto with a spring flowing through it that runs into a creek. Because of the constant flow of water, there are many of the Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris). I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Container plants for cool weather in Cypress TX October 02, 2011 I am a novice gardener and I am looking for some ideas on potted plants for the fall/winter. They would be covered by a roof, but still susceptible to the elements. What can be planted now that will... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native alternative for liriope September 20, 2011 I am looking for native alternatives to liriope for use in sun to part shade, moderate moisture planting beds. Would prefer evergreen options. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of small purplish/pink flower with ferny leaves March 13, 2011 There is a totally adorable tiny flower blooming right now in my lease pasture near the Cedar Park Center in Cedar Park, TX. It has a rosette of 2"-3" ferny leaves circling a very tiny (1/4") purp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Erosion control on partially shaded slope November 27, 2010 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho July 08, 2010 What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for steep slope in shade in Iowa July 02, 2010 I work for a small non-profit shelter here in Dubuque, Ia. that has a very steep slope behind the building that needs some sort of plant or grass planted to stop erosion. The slope gets little to no s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Southern Woodferns in TX May 06, 2010 I have recently bought some 3 gallon southern woodferns, and have planted them in the shade in a low spot with clay soil. It seems to be a good location for the ferns, but a week or two after transpla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fertilizer for Maidenhair Fern in Bay Point CA October 05, 2009 Is it possible to feed a Maidenhair Fern the same plant food as a African Violet? I use Schultz African Violet Plus. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of a fern-like plant in Nashville TN. July 30, 2009 There is a fern like plant that is growing in partial sun in my front yard. It closes and opens with the sun. Its leaves are lacy and long; so far no flowers. I have pictures but not for this format... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winter hardy fern for northeast Texas May 20, 2009 I am looking for a winter hardy fern to grown around my deck. The area would get some morning sun but afternoon shade. What do you suggest? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowers or plants for no-sun area in Nova Scotia March 14, 2009 What kind of flowers or plants can I plant in my rock garden that gets virtually no sun? I have wasted so much money on plants that were guaranteed to grow. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are philodendrons, variegated ginger, sword ferns and palms toxic to horses? February 24, 2009 Are philodendrons, variegated ginger, sword ferns and palms toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant that can move from outside to inside for Denton, TX December 14, 2008 I am looking for a plant that is either native to Texas or is well acclimated to the Denton TX area that can move from a covered outside area to an adjacent indoor area behind large glass walls, to a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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