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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
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Problem with Chinese Pistache tree September 01, 2014 We have a gorgeous Chinese Pistache in our yard, about 25 feet tall. We bought it for its gorgeous fall color. The problem is that it has never turned color for us. All the other pistaches in the neig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fast-spreading desert-type tree with thorns in yard July 21, 2014 There is a fast spreading tree in my backyard - many multiple almost symmetric flat green oval leaves on either side of the stem (sort of like a moringa tree but this is not that). Grows straight up, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Japanese Wineberry in Maryland July 16, 2014 Hello, we were at Cunningham Falls in Maryland and I can not identify this plant. If you could I would greatly appreciate it, thank you. It looks like a raspberry but the berries are inside small leav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Is Ruellia aggressive? July 06, 2014 Is Ruellia aggressive? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Competition between Horseherb and Chickweed July 04, 2014 Ok, sorry I did it wrong the 1st time!? I live in Houston, and I have chickens! I also have mass amounts of Horseherb, and I want to buy some chickweed seeds and plant it for my chickens! My question ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) July 02, 2014 Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is not a native U.S. plant. It was introduced to the U.S. from Europe and is now considered invasive in many parts of the western U.S. It invades our forested wild land... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Differences between Desmodium and Lespedezda June 19, 2014 i am trying to determine the difference between lespedeza and desmodium in my full sun wildflower and tall grasses meadow. There appear to be a number of different types of these plants, and they are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Distinguishing native Celastrus scandens from non-native C. Orbiculatus from Lexington MA June 08, 2014 Dear Mr. Plants, I maintain a wildflower garden with the Lexington Field and Garden Club in Lexington, Massachusetts. Every year, I pull up sprouts of Celastris orbiulatis. I want to plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removal of thistles from Columbus TX May 20, 2014 I am sorry if you have an answer in FAQs but I could not find it. We recently cleared property near Columbus Texas of many cedars (ash junipers). This spring we experienced a profusion of thistle -... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with Habiturf in Austin May 10, 2014 I have been trying to establish a Habiturf lawn in my back yard. It is approximately a 1,000 square foot area and this last seeding was the third over about one and a half years. I just recently over ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Control of invasive sandburs in Austin May 05, 2014 My attempts to control / eradicate Sanbur with pre-emergent corn gluten twice yeary for the last three years have been unsuccessful. My post emergent pulling weeds for 15 years has also been unsucces... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removal of invasive roots of Turks Cap in College Station TX April 29, 2014 I know people have asked you questions about propagating Turk's Cap, but my question is a little different. I have this plant growing in several locations, because I have a large garden with lots... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-native, invasive mimosa trees in Vincennes IN April 29, 2014 I have 3 Mimosa trees here in Vincennes, Indiana and so far none of them are leafing out this spring (4-28-14) Do you think that this past winter could have killed then? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Non-native invasive carrot wood tree losing leaves in Alpine CA April 22, 2014 My carrot wood tree is losing all of its leaves. The tree is about 15foot high & 13 years old. Could it be gophers? The tree was trimmed 1 year ago. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Control of non-native invasive Japanese Barberry from Enfield NH April 22, 2014 I recently bought a home that is bordered by woods and a sizable area of invasive Japanese Barberry growing on a steep hill in and around a stone wall making it that much harder to dig up. I've alway... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Shade tolerant plants for privacy from Larchmont NY April 19, 2014 Love your site! We have a 4'x4'x50' stone wall, full sun, with a planting bed 30"H by 24"D. We're looking for privacy, so a hedge with pruning is needed. We have looked at Ilex Crenata (8'),... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ivy a suitable ground cover in Live Oaks from Gulfport MS April 17, 2014 Will Ivy be a safe and suitable ground cover for old growth Live Oak trees in coastal Mississippi? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant mistakes from Cedar Park, TX April 09, 2014 At our "Wilts End" in Cedar Park, TX. and are looking for a tall shrub/tree that will hide a 6-ft tall concrete wall and muffle the noise from a busy street. The wall forms a very wide-angled V shap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Comments on previous answer on non-native invasives from Raleigh NC March 27, 2014 https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7827 This answer is incorrect. Please have someone review it to remove the two invasive species you are encouraging people to plant by calling them nati... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How many Bamboo species are native to North Carolina? one March 27, 2014 I would like to know how many bamboo plants are native to North Carolina? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why is Common Horehound missing from NPIN? March 27, 2014 Hi there, I am not able to find Marrubium vulgare, i.e. Common or White Horehound, in the Native Plant Database. It grows abundantly on our ranch in Central Texas, and I am attempting to grow i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Eliminating kudzu from Richmond KY March 26, 2014 I live in Richmond KY, Kirksville area. I have noticed that Kudzu has started to grow in my patch of land next to the creek. How can I get rid of this before it becomes a big problem? 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 | ||
Type of clumping bamboo for outdoor planters from Plano TX March 25, 2014 What type of clumping bamboo can be grown outdoors in planters in Dallas,TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native turf grass for Austin March 24, 2014 I am installing a xeriscape landscape in my yard. It will be in full sun and I am looking for an alternative to turf, such as monkey grass. However, I am concerned about the light. Suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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