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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| Plant growing in mid-September at Wildflower Center September 18, 2009 Would you please identify the pink/mauve composite flower growing in the members garden. A large grouping is growing in the bed between the center bed and the pathway up to the demonstration gardens. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering native plants for Evanston IL July 12, 2009 What flowering, native plants would be suitable for a backyard garden in Evanston Illinois? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| The flower on the Plant Price page of Wildflower Center website June 04, 2009 What is the name of the flower that is on the Plant Price page of the Center's web site? I saw it for the first time this spring near Weatherford. It's red/orange & white and resembles a snapdrago... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the acreage of your gardens? May 20, 2009 The wildflower gardens and display areas comprise about how much, either percentage or acreage, of the entire 279 acres at the Wildflower Center? Does that also include areas for growing flowers for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What are those bushes with purple flowers around the Wildflower Center? March 09, 2009 Hello! We were just at the Wildflower Center earlier this week (March 1 or so, 2009), and there were several large bushes with purple flowers on them. The very helpful docent told me what they wer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Living lightly on the land November 21, 2008 Are most of the materials used in the Center recyclable materials? For instance, the wood floors and HVAC systems? Thanks, Joel Rodriguez View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Potting soil used in Wildflower Center nursery October 23, 2008 I recently purchased several beautiful little plants at your Fall plant sale and notice how very happy and healthy they all are! Please tell me if you mix your own potting soil and what your potting ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Purchase of herbs from Wildflower Center October 18, 2008 Can I purchase herbs from the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Official definition of native plants March 06, 2008 Does the Wildflower center have an official definition of "native" plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Maintenance policy for Ask Mr. Smarty Plants February 04, 2008 Greetings, I am a volunteer at the University of Washington’s Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural library. I am currently developing a maintenance policy for our database of gardening questions and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where can one learn about gardening with native plants August 20, 2007 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where can I go to learn more about gardening with native plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Online list of plants in Wildflower Center gardens May 15, 2007 Hi I was able to see some of the wonderful gardens on tour today (gardens on tour)..they were out of the list with plants listed but told me I could find it online...I can not find it..could you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to search the Wildflower Center website March 28, 2007 How the heck do I find a list of local native low-growing plants that are shade tolerant on this web site? The search functions don't seem to be specific enough. I searched specifying Texas, subshr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Purchase access to plants at Wildflower Center February 08, 2007 I am interested in purchasing some of your plants. How can I do that? Do you send plants thru the mail or is their a nursery near you that has access to your plants that does? I am interested in Sa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for pots for wedding in November October 03, 2006 Will any of the plants that are in your big plant sale be flowering in November? I am looking for plants that would do well in pots because I'd like to use them as center pieces at a wedding (in Aus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers to see at Wildflower Center in September September 12, 2006 My wife and I will be coming to Austin for the Quilt Show September 29, 2006. Will the wild flowers and gardens still be active? We would very much like to visit if there would still be plenty to se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible identification of plant purchased at Wildflower Center June 17, 2006 Hi - I'm looking for the name of a plant I bought at the Wildflower Center. It's currently in a gallon container and about 8 inches high. The leaves are green (on the yellow end of the spectrum), ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Epiphyte growing on oak trees in Wildflower Center June 16, 2006 Thank you for your response to my question on what is the epiphyte growing on oak trees. I should have been more specific to say " the epiphyte growing on the oak trees around Lady Bird Johnson wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal plants at the Wildflower Center April 19, 2006 What kinds of medicinal plants do you have at the Wildflower Center? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ball moss (Tallandsia recurvata), epiphyte on oaks at Wildflower Center April 06, 2006 I visited your center a couple weeks ago, was very impressed with the educational aspects. I noticed the epiphyte commonly growing in the oak trees, and also on the elm oak. Do you have the name of t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on green roof demonstration site at Wildflower Center March 10, 2006 I visited your green roof demonstration site and am interested in putting a green roof on a structure. There seemed to be at least two layers of growing medium in the planters; one layer looked like r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| True date for Earth Day March 09, 2006 My grandson asked me to verify the correct date for Earth Day 2006. Sites on the internet say (a) Earth Day USA is April 22, 2006. (b) International Earth Day is M... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Design and installation of trails at Wildflower Center July 24, 2005 I am a Park Commissioner in a city near Austin and am researching a firm to help design a trail system in our park. Would you please tell me who designed and installed the trails at the Wildflower Ce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants available for viewing in Wildflower Center in October May 19, 2005 We are thinking of bringing a group to visit the Wildflower Center during the weekend of my son's wedding in Austin in early October. Will there be much to see at the garden at that time of year? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sale of plants at the Wildflower Center March 20, 2004 Does the Wildflower Center sell plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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