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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| topic | question | |
| Failure to thrive of non-native Purple Orchid Tree March 09, 2009 We planted purple orchid tree Texas,zone 9 two weeks ago and all leaves turned brown.My husband used root stimulator with enough water as the instructions said.We took all brown leaves off and now it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pest on leaves of native Texas persimmon in Laredo, TX February 20, 2009 I have a transplanted a Texas persimmon tree from the wild. It has some globes in the leaves. It seems like some pest injected something from underside of leaves. Any suggestion? What is happening t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Ruda plant drying up in Florida February 19, 2009 I have a RUDA plant at work, but do not know if I am putting too much water on it, it is about 1 meter high but I think is drying up. How often do I water it? I'm in Miami Fl. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting non-native bougainvillea in Florida February 10, 2009 Hi, My neighbor has two established bougainvillea that he is giving me..I just have to dig them up and not kill them..what is the best way to dig up and transplant them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recently planted live oak tree in Boerne, TX February 07, 2009 My brother planted a live oak in August. It was from a nursery and had a root ball. It looks dead but I keep watering it. The trunk is about 6 inches around. The leaves died but when the winds came th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting blue agave pups in Arizona February 03, 2009 I have a blue Agave with lots of pups, how do I transplant a few pups into planters. What kind of soil and how much water will they need? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Madrone too close to house in Oregon February 02, 2009 I have a small Madrone tree (8ft tall) located approximatly 15 feet from my house, with a basement. Should I remove it? ie will it damage the foundation and is the tree strong enough that it will no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilization of recently-transplanted yucca January 26, 2009 I planted a soft tip yucca a week ago, the spineless type. I was doing a landscaping job, it was dug up, left for a week without any dirt around the roots, and when the customer did not want it, I pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| B1 for transplant shock in non-native bamboo? January 24, 2009 I am wondering about the details as I wish to transplant some bamboo. I do not know the actual variety, as I have at least 2 types, but will take a cutting to a high end nursery.Some of this is about ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for supplier of cedar plants in Pennsylvania January 20, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants - please disregard a stupid question I asked a little earlier today about sourcing cedar plants near Easton, PA. I figured out looking up "Nurseries" could lead to Yellow Pages ent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting transplants of native Pleopeltis polypodioides January 15, 2009 I would like to know how to start Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern) growing in my oak trees. I have a source for the plants but do not know how to start the transplants on the limbs of the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When and how to transplant a Texas persimmon January 02, 2009 When and how should I transplant a 12' Texas persimmon? How much root ball do I need to get? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Timing for transplanting a yaupon in Louisiana January 01, 2009 I found a female yaupon growing wild at the back of my property and would like to move it to the front. When should I do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Century plant offshoots in Denver January 01, 2009 Each year I get a small "baby" Century Plants in the early winter..December - January, But it dies off before summer. We live in Denver, CO My main plant is doing fine. Also, should I cut the lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dwarf golden cypress outgrowing their space December 28, 2008 I planted two dwarf golden cypress on opposite sides of a dwarf alberta spruce in a small bed by the front door. After 4 years I have to severely prune back the dwarf cypress in spring as they will sp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winter care for plants in Austin December 05, 2008 Hello, I'm just getting into the gardening thing, and have planted tons of plants this fall here in Austin. I'm a bit worried about them with winter right around the corner. My first question is r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why is my Mountain Laurel in distress? November 26, 2008 We have planted our 2nd Texas Mountain Laurel in the same spot (after fresh berm built with sandy loam) and it is not looking good in less than 2 weeks. We have an identical berm on the other end of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to plant a gooseberry bush November 22, 2008 Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush. Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Cornus sericea by sprouts in Maryland November 21, 2008 I would like to transplant suckers of a red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). When is the best time to do it (before or during dormancy)? How big of a root system does each sucker need to survive? Where ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Mexican bonebract in Floresville, TX November 12, 2008 My kids and I finally identified a small plant that we found growing in our pasture. There was only one and it is lovely. It is the Mexican Bonebract. What I am interested in finding out is how to tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting native flame leaf sumac in Eden, TX October 26, 2008 We have tried without success to transplant a flame leaf sumac from the ranch to the house. What are we doing wrong? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Tecoma stans in Texas October 26, 2008 I have a pair of Tecoma stans planted too near the house. They're in shade most of the day. The branches that can reach a little sun are blooming nicely. Would they survive being transplanted fart... 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 | ||
| Transplanting a native Texas Persimmon in Austin October 18, 2008 I have a Texas Persimmon, approx. 2.5 feet tall, growing in a 5 gal. pot. When should it be transplanted and where? How much sun? Could it grow in a larger pot for a time> Do deer like it? Thank ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Holding an Acer rubrum in a container for two years October 10, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am thinking about ordering a Red Maple tree that is cultivated from Mount Vernon. I appreciate the historic nature of such a tree. The tree will be shipped to me and is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Survival of native yaupon in The Woodlands, TX after hurricane September 25, 2008 One of my large native yaupons trees (8ft) fell away from a group during the hurricane. I have uprighted and tied it off for stability. Now the leaves are all brown and falling. Is the tree dead or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Living fence of native plants for Ojai, CA September 20, 2008 I would like to build a "green fence" about 10-15 feet tall. I live in Ojai, CA where we have VERY hot summers and it goes below freezing every winter. The soil does not seem to drain well..it is e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting hackberry trees in Texas September 17, 2008 I live N of Ft Worth,Tx is there a trick to digging up & transplanting hackberry trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Relocating native oak trees in compacted soil September 14, 2008 Can you replant and relocate small oak trees in compacted soil and will they grow or go into shock? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Virginia creeper September 02, 2008 I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation on bamboo in Washington State August 30, 2008 I have been trying for some time to grow bamboo in my garden. They rooted very well in the house but as soon as I put them in a large planter under the fir trees they turned yellow.They have a large h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dying blackeyed Susans in new garden in Pennsylvania August 26, 2008 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants! I have recently planted black eyed susans in a newly dug garden along with some cone flowers. The other flowers are doing fine but the black eyed susans have all dried up and are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pecan tree transplant in Elgin, TX August 26, 2008 Hello, Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about how to encourage a very young pecan sapling to grow, and whether I should use mulch to do so. I live in Elgin (Bastrop County) and the soil is extr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Browning leaves on non-native Burford holly August 22, 2008 I have several dwarf Burford hollies whose leaves are browning. The individual leaves have colors of green, dark brown to light brown extending from the stem. Any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating Indian Paintbrush August 17, 2008 I live in Pecos, NM and have a lot of Indian Paintbrush plants growing wild on my road. I wonder if you can tell me how I can propagate this plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf fall from Cedar Elm planted in clay August 17, 2008 I saw the answer to leaves falling off a cedar elm planted in clay. However I planted a Cedar Elm in my back yard. I dug a hole in the grass then planted and put grass back on top. I water every other... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy plantings in Texas August 16, 2008 Our home currently has a 4' chain fence. We are a family of 7 with younger aged children and are looking for more privacy. In lieu of a replacement fence, what would you recommend planting to provi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants August 15, 2008 Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper watering of cedar elm trees in Sachse, TX August 15, 2008 I've just planted two Cedar elm trees in clay soil, each about four inches in diameter, and I want to water them correctly. I'm aware that too much water can be bad as well as too little water. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagating Dakota vervain (Glandularia binpinnatifida) August 07, 2008 Dakota Vervain. We recently moved into a new house in Henly--Hays/Blanco county line. Mother nature was kind enough to provide us w/Dakota Vervain in some of our planting beds while we are getting... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Texas Star hibiscus July 31, 2008 Why is my Texas star plant wilting and now is starting to turn yellow? I just bought it from a nursery and put it in a new pot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting bamboo July 29, 2008 To transplant bamboo from one place to another, do you dig the plant up or do you get a cutting, put it in water and then root the plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting a Texas redbud sapling July 27, 2008 I've just discovered a Texas red bud sapling (baby tree)that decided to grow next to our fire pit. Although there's no reason for us to sit around the campfire in 100 degree weather, I would like to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting non-native invasive chinaberry trees July 21, 2008 I know most folk think Chinaberry trees are only for digging up, but I say that here in the Hill Country during a drought, they are the greenest and purtiest tree around. I have some tall fifteen foo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Death of Tecoma stans after heavy rain July 21, 2008 I had two esperanza plants. They have been planted for about four months, this spring. They were blooming and growing. We had six inches of rain in five days and they began to wilt - and then they d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting live oaks in summer July 17, 2008 I have a need to transplant a live oak tree on a home building site. The need is now, the house is almost completely built out and the owners did not prep the site by moving trees or prepping them to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blossom fall after rain on Polystachys lutea, Shrimp Lollipop July 17, 2008 I live in San Antonio and had previously bought shrimp lollipop plants and after the rain we had recently all the blooms fell off. So my question is did it die or should I just leave it alone? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shriveling and dying of non-native impatiens July 14, 2008 Several years now many of my impatiens after a month or so seem to shrivel up and eventually die. They are planted in a row and not all are affected. I am not noticing any slug evidence which I would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting a Century Plant in Pennsylvania July 08, 2008 When is the best time to transplant a Century Plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystic Spires salvia in transplant shock July 04, 2008 Hello. I live in Taylor, Tx. Just outside Austin, Texas. I recently planted mystic spires. One gallons and will receive the hot afternoon sun. All the research says they can tolerate this location. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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