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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| What to do about early seedlings January 16, 2015 Hello, Over the last few weeks I have noticed that all my naturally occurring poppies and delphiniums have started to sprout up around my yard. Hundreds of them! I imagine it's because of the ear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? December 01, 2014 What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? Do you have a picture? 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 | ||
| Starting Melochia Pyramidata from Seed November 06, 2014 Last year some Melochia pyramidata popped up in my yard all on its own. I was able to gather some (really neat looking) seed pods once they had dried out. I'm moving pretty soon and I'd like to grow... 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 | ||
| Fall Wildflowers for Helotes, TX October 20, 2014 Dear Smarty, Could you please suggest a few colorful wildflowers for a sunny area. I live north of San Antonio, TX and would like to plant some flowers in October but I want something that has been ... 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 |  | |
| Storing Rudbeckia Hirta Seed October 10, 2014 I just bought and planted your Rudbeckia hirta seed. I have a lot leftover. Can I store it until spring or better yet, next fall? If so, how? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Silphium Perfoliatum Seeds October 06, 2014 I am trying to identify which part of the seedhead is the actual seed of the cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum. It is hard to find images. Some show the outer, larger, flat part of the seedhead which ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When is best time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade in San Antonio, TX? September 20, 2014 I need to know the time to plant seeds of Texas Nightshade. Can I plant them now ( August ), or wait till fall or spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When to Collect Rudbeckia triloba Seed? September 13, 2014 How soon after flowering may I cut Rudbeckia triloba flower heads to save seeds? Do cones need to be attached to the plant in or out of the ground to continue to mature? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering ofPluchea odorata in Houston, TX August 13, 2014 I sprouted Pluchea odorata seeds this spring, but the plants seem too small to bloom this year. Although your website characterizes this plant as an annual, do you think it will survive the Houston wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When does Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) go to seed in southern US? August 06, 2014 When does Bouteloua dactyloides go to seed in the southern United States, mainly Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for seeds for Carex texensis and Horse Herb July 27, 2014 I am looking for either plants or seeds of Carex texensis and horseherb with no success. I live in the Albuquerque,NM mountain region (at ~6800ft, zone 6). I need something that is very dought resis... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native grasses for organic farm in Elgin TX July 22, 2014 Hi there, I am working to restore native grasses on our certified organic farm in Elgin, TX. We raise eggs, grass fed beef, and grass fed lamb. I am having a terrible time finding organic pastur... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Preparation of seeds of Cosmos parviflorus for planting July 21, 2014 This is in regards to Cosmos Parviflorus. I reside directly outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. Cosmos Parviflorus grows naturally here and I have collected some seeds from a couple of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing a Swamp Oak from Seed July 02, 2014 I have a swamp oak that I started from an acorn. Someone at a nursery stated that after 4 years I should cut it off at ground level and then allow one of the suckers to grow while keep removing the ot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How does Habiturf spread from Walburg TX May 19, 2014 How does HabitTurf spread? - by seed only? - when/how often must you let it go to seed to insure a permanent stand? 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 |  | |
| Mail order source for Guaiacum angustifolium from Ft. Worth TX April 16, 2014 Do you have a mail order source for the seeds of Guaiacum angustifolium? I have looked extensively and cannot find one. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting wildflowers on company property from Aquasco MD April 04, 2014 Our company wants to plant wildflowers on our property. How do I know how much seed, what type of seeds, how to care for, how to plant, basically everything? Finally, we hope to find use some deer-r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will native Galium aparine be a problem in Austin garden? March 25, 2014 Should I be concerned that my yard is overrun with "sticky weed" (Galium aparine) in the early spring? Specifically, about five years ago I undertook converting about half my back yard into a na... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Help with Habiturf from Bertram TX March 24, 2014 I am a resident of Bertram..about 45 min northwest of Austin. I have 1.33 acres of land with my home on it. My front pasture is pretty nice native grass but my backyard is full of weeds. I'm guessing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of hand-held seed spreader from Robstown TX March 20, 2014 I am planting native turf grass and prairie grasses as part of a backyard restoration on my 1.6 acre home site. My problem is good seed dispersal for the chaffey grass seeds. Have you have any luck... 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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