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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topic	question
Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens	Perennial native plant to attract butterflies/hummingbirds January 24, 2013 Need 3-6 foot perennial native plant to attract butterflies/hummingbirds in Paris Texas...full sun, with sprinkler system View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens Planting Edible Plants	Landscaping from Wilmington NC December 22, 2012 I plan on moving to Belmont NC in the next couple of years and settling down with my future wife in her home town. I am a huge do it yourself person. I love to make things from scratch, including buil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Identification Wildlife Gardens Trees	Mystery tree with yellow fruit in MN November 12, 2012 There is a tree at my workplace, about 8' tall, with small, pea-sized yellow berries right now (Oct. 2012). The berries are attractive to Cedar Waxwings, and the tree has small leaves that are simple... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Planting Seeds and Seeding Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia August 18, 2012 From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens	Dutchman's pipe vine dying in Fitchburg ME August 15, 2012 I have 2 dutchmans pipe vines they have been growing for over 20 years. Now all of a sudden the foliage is wilting and dying. The other one is completely fine. What would cause this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Erosion Control Turf Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Wildflowers	Plants to prevent erosion in IL August 02, 2012 We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Planting Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines Wildflowers	Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast July 13, 2012 I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Pollinators Wildlife Gardens Shrubs	Will hybrid Tecoma stans attract hummingbirds from Glendale AZ July 07, 2012 We bought a bells of fire plant; would like to know if hummingbirds like them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Water Gardens Wildlife Gardens	Plants for swan food July 03, 2012 Dear Mr Smarty Pants, I have a farm in VA with a large pond or lake fenced in. I am rescuing a pair of swan and want to grow plants around the fence and pond that they can eat. Could you suggest an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens Xeriscapes Planting Cacti and Succulents Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees	Foundation plants for Albuquerque. July 01, 2012 Hello, I live in Albuquerque. I am looking for some native/xeric low water usage plants for foundation plants for my home. They will be foundation plants for a two story home that has a large ponde... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens Poisonous Plants Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Vines	Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA June 24, 2012 I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Erosion Control Shrubs	Shrubs and small trees for a slope in NY May 21, 2012 We are looking for a living wall made of shrubs / small trees - no more than 25' for the top of a steep creek bed. We are looking for the best erosion preventing types. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Poisonous Plants	Plants for exotic pets May 14, 2012 I need to know what are some good native non-toxic plants for these species: Porcelain roach (Gyna lurida) from Kenya, Africa. Giant cave roach (Blaberus giganteus) from Central and South Americ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
General Botany Pollinators Rare or Endangered Plants Seed and Plant Sources Wildlife Gardens Planting Propagation Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines Wildflowers	Restoring the woods in Central Austin. May 08, 2012 I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Poisonous Plants	hummingbird attractants May 03, 2012 I live in Baytown, Texas and am looking for a variety of plants that attract Hummingbirds, but are also pet friendly. I have two dogs, so this is a major concern. I am putting the plants in my backyar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Trees	Evergreens for a deer corridor in MI April 16, 2012 I am growing three rows of evergreens for a wildlife, deer travel corridor, and am looking for which trees grow well together and are shade tolerant of each other when planted at the same time, or at ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Shade Tolerant Herbs/Forbs	Hummingbird Attracting Plants for Shade in Smithville, TX March 28, 2012 I want hummingbird plants for shade. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Pollinators Wildlife Gardens Herbs/Forbs	Native plants in Denton Co. TX pollinated by bats or hummingbirds December 07, 2011 I am looking for a list of Denton Co. TX native plants that are pollinated by bats? Do we have any? How about hummingbirds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Lists Wildflower Center Wildlife Gardens Planting Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Wildflowers	Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas. December 04, 2011 I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Wildflowers	Bee-pasture recommendations for AR November 30, 2011 Hello, I live in Melbourne, Ar, up in the NE corner of the state. I keep bees and would like to put in a couple acres of something for them. I'm leaning towards Viper's Bugloss. Do you know where I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildflower Center Water Gardens Wildlife Gardens	Hungry turtles trample pond in Houston Texas October 17, 2011 I have a very large back yard pond (actually, a former swimming pool) that's home to a bullfrog, four Red-eared slider turtles, and scads of gambusia (little mosquito eating fish). I'd like to add n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens	Hummingbird plants for OH October 08, 2011 We live in Toledo, Ohio and would like to have a Hamelia patens or firebush to attract hummingbirds; we are in their migration path. Would it survive outdoors or do we need to pot and move it indoors ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Water Gardens Wildlife Gardens Wildflowers	Wildflowers for a pond in MO September 10, 2011 I have a spring fed pond in Missouri and would like to plant perennial wildflowers in the area around it. Are there any that would do better or others that are not recommended? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Pollinators Butterfly Gardens Wildlife Gardens Shrubs	Shrubby options for a bird lover in New Jersey September 07, 2011 Could you please recommend a native shrub to NJ that grows to about 3-4 feet, is very low maintenance, does well in afternoon sun and is also something the birds will like? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Xeriscapes Planting Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs Trees Wildflowers	Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX. August 26, 2011 With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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