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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| Are Tannins in Persimmons the same in Fruit and Leaf? January 23, 2016 I was wanting to know if tannins in persimmons have the same properties in both the fruit and leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bignoniaceae Family Members Fix Nitrogen? January 23, 2016 Do plants in the Bignoniaceae family, such as Tecoma stans and Chilopsis linearis, fix nitrogen into the soil? I ask because they have a bean-type pod. Just curious. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Reducing the Height of a Redbud Tree January 23, 2016 We have a very large, about 15-year old, Redbud tree that is growing so tall it's obstructing our view of the river. How and when can we prune this tree back so it does not hurt the tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wanting to grow a Buckley Oak in Amarillo, TX January 20, 2016 I live in Amarillo Texas in the Texas Panhandle. I recently became interested in the Buckley Oak and was wondering if it might grow well here and if so, where I might find one that I could purchase a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? January 18, 2016 Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? I know the Siberian Iris is tolerant but the scientific names are not the same yet everything I read indicates that blue eyed grass is not in the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Goldenball leadtree really evergreen, as we state? January 17, 2016 Please would you confirm that Goldenball leadtree Leucaena retusa is evergreen as stated on this website and not deciduous as stated by Wasowski in Native Texas Plants? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard December 17, 2015 I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pin Oak Dropping Leaves Early December 17, 2015 I have a large pin oak that's losing it's leaves at this time. Is this too early? I have been watering the tree during the hot, dry weather and overall the tree looks healthy and has a good crop of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic trees for cattle, horses and swine in Washington state. December 04, 2015 What non-toxic trees can be planted in cattle pastures in Central Washington? We also have horses and swine on the property. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Causes of death to Papershell pinion pine (Pinus remota)? December 03, 2015 Good afternoon. I did my best to review the site and have not found a comparable question - apologies if I have missed something. I own property equidistant between Leakey and Campwood off of HWY 33... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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