Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 33 next >> 
326 Results:   10 25  50  100 per page


topicquestion
Using Dormant Oils in the Winter
January 20, 2015
What are your thoughts on the use of dormant oils as part of a winter maintenance program? I live in Austin, Texas.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Possible leaf cutter ants in Elgin, TX
December 08, 2014
I've planted many beautiful native vines and flowering plants this fall. However, in the past week I've noticed something has been eating these plants, including coral honeysuckle vine, salvia, and ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Problem with leaf cutting bees in Houston, TX
December 08, 2014
I have four Arapaho crepe myrtle trees in my backyard and two have leaves, especially the young leaves, being eaten by something. I do not see ants of beetles on the leaves and have not seen any bees ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

White snails in Austin, TX.
October 01, 2014
We walked through an undisturbed site off of Hwy. 71 near Old Bee Caves Rd. and there were little white snails on the majority of the plants on site (not specific to certain types of plants). What typ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Weeping Willow Problem in Texas
September 04, 2014
Our weeping willow's leaves are turning yellow and falling off. We are also seeing some brown, gnarly looking pods on some of the stems can you tell us what's happening?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Rabbit-proof Plants for Texas
July 03, 2014
Do you have a list of flowers that rabbits will eat or will not eat so I know what to plant or avoid? I have a year-round rabbit population in my neighborhood and wish to co-exist with them without t...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Problem with mesquite tree limbs
June 13, 2014
i keep finding some smaller branches of my mesquite tree in the turf area around the tree. when looking at the cut ends, they appear to have a smooth cut around the circumference of the limb about 1/...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Herbicide on Habiturf from Austin
May 31, 2014
Can you recommend an herbicide that is safe to use on a Habiturf lawn? I followed the directions to put in a new Habiturf lawn about a month ago. The grass seedlings are doing well in places, but ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Infestation of shiny red and blue/black beetles
May 27, 2014
I have an infestation of 1 cm long shiny red and blue/black beetles. They have red heads with black eyes and antenna, 2 (?) red spots on their sides, and a bluish black body. Before I kill them with ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Small tan balls on oak from Pipe Creek TX
May 21, 2014
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, our spanish oak is growing tan colored lumpy balls about the size and weight of a marshmallow..sometimes just one at the end of a short stem and sometimes 2-3 clumped together....
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 33 next >> 
326 Results:   10 25  50  100 per page