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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| 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 |  | |
| Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are brown junipers (Juniperus ashei) dead? November 08, 2011 If the cedar/junipers in our area are brown, will they ever come back green? Or just clear them out as dead. There are many of them due to the drought. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Average lifespan of Pinchot's Juniper from Golden CO August 23, 2011 What is the average lifespan of Juniperus coahuilensis (syn. Juniperus texensis) trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Ashe Junipers dying from mite damage in Austin? August 08, 2011 If Ashe Juniper needles are turning brown and dropping off the trees because of drought, and not disease, do the needles ever come back, or have the tree limbs died? What if the cause is mites, not ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for non-native Italian Cypress in Austin July 10, 2011 I would appreciate your assistance with some native plant options to replace Italian Cypress trees in the Arboretum area of Austin, TX. I have 12 of the trees on the north side of the house to obstru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are junipers tainting the soil in Loveland CO? June 10, 2011 Have several varieties of junipers around my yard. Each year I try to place a small garden in a corner of my yard, the plants don't do well at all. Growing up nearby, I gardened with my parents so ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Something killing evergreens on Long Island from Baldwin NY June 06, 2011 What seems to be killing so many of the evergreens on Long Island - see more and more dying each day - doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason - can it be helped? Many thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cedar sage in container in Austin June 06, 2011 Re: cedar sage purchased at your 04/11 plant sale: it sets flower spikes but no red blossoms appear, only calyxes. It's in terracotta pot w/Ladybug soil, shady apartment patio. Soil too rich? Too muc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Juniperus ashei in San Antonio May 27, 2011 I live in San Antonio and have many juniper trees. On inspection I do not see insects or any other form of damage, but my trees are turning brown and dying. I have already had to cut one down. When... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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