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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Deadheading seedless desert willows for continued bloom in Phoenix AZ May 31, 2010 We planted two seedless desert willow trees this spring. Both have bloomed nicely but we now have many stems with the spent flowers still on the tree. Your database for this plant says to "Remove spe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Freeze problems with non-native weeping willow in Joplin, MO May 13, 2010 My weeping willow had leaves forming and a frost hit and now the tree looks like it is dead. Everything else is in bloom and I don't know if the frost killed my tree or if I need to wait to see if it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native weeping willow in Inman SC March 30, 2010 I planted a weeping willow tree last summer and it thrived wonderfully. This year the buds have came out but it has yet to produce leaves where all the others in this area has. I am wondering maybe if... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need help with canker in willows in Flagstaff, AZ. March 18, 2010 We've got a lot of willows in high altitude desert conditions, irrigated. They've got canker and I want to know if there's anything I can paint on the pruning wounds when I go around trying to remo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Chilopsis linearis Bubba in Hunt TX October 18, 2009 I purchased 3 desert willows (label: chilopsis linearis) to create an oasis area around a fountain which is in the center of my circle drive. But I need one more. Now I can only find the "chilopsis... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling vegetation around retention pond in Williamsburg, VA September 21, 2009 We planted Juncus effusus around a retention pond and various native shrubs last year. We are having a problem controlling bramble,lespedeza and broadleaf natives from taking over and native trees(wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native weeping willow in Greenville NY September 10, 2009 We live on the border of Zones 5b and 6a and have a weeping willow that grew so much in only 3 years and did quite well. However, there are aerial roots growing on its bark as well as part of the bark... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Desert willows in El Paso, TX August 27, 2009 We have some volunteer Desert Willows growing on an empty lot nearby. Can we dig them up and transplant them in the yard? If so, how? They are about 3-4 feet tall View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of trees in Savage MN August 23, 2009 I have a 20+ year old weeping willow. The last few years it is the last tree to get its leaves and the first to lose them. The few leaves that are still on the tree are covered with brown/black spots.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving non-native globe willow in Mansfield TX August 10, 2009 I have a globe willow that we planted in a little landscaped area out front of house not realizing how large top would get. Can I move the tree without damaging it? It is about 9 ft tall, 5-6 ft wid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |