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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| Can bluebonnet pods be gathered when green in Lockhart, TX May 02, 2015 Can bluebonnet seed pods be gathered when green? Will the seed be capable of germinating next season? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Germination of seeds of Stephanomeria pauciflora (Brownplume wire lettuce) February 20, 2015 I have discovered a very fast growing Stephanomeria pauciflora on property where I work here in Terlingua, TX. At first glance it appears as an invasive weed but on closer inspection with my macro le... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing mosses in the Pacific Northwest February 05, 2015 Can you provide information on types of Mosses as well as Microferns in the Northwest Mountain region near Seattle? I assume that Mosses and Microferns are more resilient to foot traffic (i.e.Cush... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Agave suckers November 18, 2014 I'm trying to transplant Dragon Toes Agave suckers. Is this similar to other agave pup transplants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting a meadow garden in Pennsylvania November 16, 2014 I live in Saxonburg PA near Pittsburgh PA. I want to put a meadow garden in my back yard. We are building a home so there is no established yard yet just trees and weeds. Where do I start . What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis November 04, 2014 I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for a ecoregion prairie project in Cleburne, TX October 30, 2014 I have a ecoregion prairie project in which students are to plant from pots a small area so visitors might see what the seeded area will become. We are struggling to find potted plants. HELP View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to germinate seed for Styrax grandifolius October 18, 2014 How do I germinate seed for the Styrax grandifolius? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Artemisia Cuttings in Texas September 29, 2014 I've rooted a number of artemisia plants in water and have transplanted them to pots. They grow so very well in our dry drought-stricken soil and need very little water. I'd like to transition these... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Final size of a Texas mountain laurel August 11, 2014 I have purchased a Texas Mountain Laurel. The plant tag says it will grow 25 to 35 feet. LBWF plant data base says 10 to 15 feet. Which data should I go with? It's either plant close but not close to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Starting Yarrow (Achillea) and Daucus from Seed July 16, 2014 I need to deadhead my cottage yarrow. I assume it has gone to seed. What do I do to plant it as seed? If I can do it, can I do it now or do I need to wait until spring. If I need to wait until spring,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bluebonnets in Hampton VA? July 12, 2014 I gave my mom Blue Bonnet seeds for her yard in Hampton VA. She is on a mission to have no lawn and loves flowers. The seeds say to plant in Texas August-November. But, when should she plant them i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Purchase of Galphimia angustifolia from Austin June 08, 2014 I have a Thryallis, Galphimia augustifolia, or Thryallis autustifolia, growing from a limestone ledge in my yard in west Austin TX. I have tried unsuccessfully to buy this native. Do you sell it at t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought tolerant grass for small lawn from Woodbury TX June 07, 2014 Trying to establish small lawn area, needs to be drought tolerant, water wise. Have tried Turffalo with poor results. Recommendation please. 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 |  | |
| 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 |  | |
| Propagation of an agave from Dripping Springs TX April 30, 2014 Hi there, I have a Century Agave in my backyard. It is over 6 feet tall and is now producing the center stalk. I understand that means the plant is going to die. My question is how to harvest the pups... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Viability of Lupinus havardii seeds from Elmendorf TX April 25, 2014 I have been able to grow several Lupinus havardii (Big Bend Bluebonnet) and they are now making seed. Is there anyway to determine if a seed is good or bad for this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Picking flowers of bulbs from Cloverdale CA April 22, 2014 Will picking the flowers of native bulb plants, such as Trillium, Blue Dicks, Fawn Lilies, kill the plant or keep it from reproducing? I do not condone this action but know people who do it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacing hawthorn bush with muhly grass from Plano TX April 10, 2014 I am thinking of replacing a hawthorn bush with a muhly grass plant or two in an edged area with river rock cover in Plano, texas. It is the black soil and not a sandy loam. We have a sprinkler syst... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Age before blooming of a Fendler rupicola from Elmendorf TX April 06, 2014 How old does a Fendlera rupicola plant have to be before it will bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grafting different colors of Tecoma from Casa Grand AZ April 01, 2014 Is it possible to graft different colors of tecoma and if yes, is the process same as process for grafting roses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native flowers from bulbs from Denton TX March 26, 2014 I am slowly converting my landscaping to as much native regional plants as possible. Are there any flowers from bulbs that you could recommend? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Seeds to scatter from Austin March 20, 2014 Which seeds are good to throw and scatter on lawns or garden beds? Seeds that germinate easily, I suppose? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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