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 | |
| Sprouts from stems of plants from Happy Yard IN September 28, 2013 Is it normal for a plant to start a sprout from its own root system next to the stock/stem? Is it trying to regrow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade tolerant low shrub for Houston September 28, 2013 Please suggest a shade loving shrub that doesn't get more than 3' tall for a foundation planting along a front porch in Houston, TX. I prefer native, drought resistant if possible. No nursery person... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yucca rostrata needs some help in Austin, TX. September 16, 2013 We planted an expensive 5-6 foot Yucca rostrata last fall. It bloomed beautifully in the spring. We installed an irrigation link to water the recently planted areas with succulents, viburnums, spart... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for Shade in Annapolis MD September 12, 2013 Can you please recommend dense shade tolerant shrubs for Annapolis, Maryland. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer resistant, Shaded Privacy Hedge for Wakefield RI September 12, 2013 We recently removed the dead undergrowth of white pines that were used for privacy. We need advice as to what type of evergreen would be suitable for growth beneath the branches above. It is VERY shad... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade Tree for Baltimore Patio September 11, 2013 I am looking for a deep-rooted shade tree (or a tall shrub) for near my patio in Baltimore, Md. I desire shade in summer, but with minimum impact to the patio. The tree would be about 20 feet from the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Opinion of 5 best native garden plants in Oklahoma from Burneyville OK September 07, 2013 What would you say are the 3 to 5 BEST native garden plants for south central Oklahoma? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Five-eight foot hedge for north Texas September 06, 2013 I am looking to find a fairly large (preferably flowering) shrub / hedge to go along 100 feet of fence. The plants will be facing Northeast, but will be for the most part under the branches of crape m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of poinsettias in water from Houston September 06, 2013 Pointsettias - we have a broken branch that is thriving in a jar of water with new leaves and additional small branches. When we plant the stem in dirt and even a muck, the growth starts to wither. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When is the best time to transplant Esperanza bushe in Buda, TX? September 04, 2013 When is the best time to transplant an Esperanza bush? I want to move it because it is overwhelming my front yard. Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing drought-resistant hedge for California September 03, 2013 We're looking for a fast growing, drought resistant shrub that will grow in clay soil and can be used for a hedge around our property. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing trees for privacy in East Texas September 02, 2013 Fast growing tree seeds for my area to create a tree grove for privacy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When is best time to transplant Ezperanza shrubs in Buda, TX? September 02, 2013 I need to transplant 2 huge Esperanza's...when is the best time to uproot them and not kill them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What causes rock rose branches to snap off? August 30, 2013 my small texas rock rose branches keep snapping in the center. What is causing this and what can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees for clay soil from Charlotte TX August 25, 2013 We have an area in our yard that even Esperanzas won't grow. It is near another that does great. Six Esperanzas are planted in a north/south row about with 10' between plants, the southern most plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for trees to withstand high winds on Top Sail Island, North Caroloina. August 20, 2013 Moving to coastal southern North Carolina. Planting native trees and shrubs, wax bayberry, Redbud, love the River Birch. What type of tree has the deepest roots or would be least likely to blow over... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small shrub for Point Richmond CA August 19, 2013 I'm looking for a plant that grows 4-6 feet tall, but not too wide (more than 2-3 feet). I'd like it to be flowering (any color but white and preferably not red). It will be located between a salvi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting large Silverado Sage bushes from Mesa AZ August 19, 2013 We just bought a condo with three Silverado Sage, each one is 6-8 ft tall, trained to grow as "trees" with bare branches for the bottom 4 feet or so, and beautiful flowering branches on top. They ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rose care for Austin August 18, 2013 I am a transplant from the Pacific NW and need to relearn rose care for Austin. When is the best time to cut back the roses, or do I even bother? I also need to find out how far back I can trimming a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Large-scale container garden for New York City August 17, 2013 I am a community volunteer in NYC who is trying to help a non-profit set up two large container gardens (about 3 feet high by 4 feet long by 2 or so feet wide). The problem is that they want natives,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will ceanothus grow in West Texas from Midland TX August 17, 2013 re: Ceanothus - you have two ceanothus in your data base. Will any of those grow in West Texas? (southern exposure, full sun)? Will any of the California native ceanothus grow in West Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Recovery of an agarita having been cut down from San Antonio, TX August 16, 2013 I had an agarita adjoining a cedar and a volunteer hackberry in my yard. The tree trimmers were supposed to cut out the hackberry but unfortunately also cut the agarita back to the ground. How long ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dwarf, Evergreen Shrub Suggestions for Staten Island August 14, 2013 I had two rows of bushes in the front of my house. The back row of bushes is what is commonly known as a hedge. Unfortunately due to Sandy I lost the front row of bushes. Please help me, I am in conta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screen shrubs for Butler PA August 09, 2013 Here is what I want in a bush: native to Western Pa.(Southern Butler County), appropriate for a horse pasture,fast growing, not too aggressive (I will mow around it regularly and can prune occasionall... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Possible maple scale on non-native mophead hydrangeas from Newport RI August 07, 2013 I have a mophead hydrangea that has small white cottony tufts under the leaves and on the stems. I believe this is maple scale. Is there a home remedy I can use to rid this disease? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion tolerant plants for shade from Kerrville TX August 06, 2013 We have just cleared a lot of cedar out of a small draw and would like to know the best groundcovers, shrubs, etc. to plant to hold the soil. Deep shade most of the day. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wind and erosion tolerant plants from Austin August 05, 2013 I recently cleared a fire break by removing cedar from around my home in West Austin. I'd like to plant the exposed NW facing slope with native shrubs and trees. Looking for selections that can wit... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy screen for Sedona AZ August 02, 2013 I live In Sedona Az. A builder just built a house next to my house and the new house is ugly to look at. What plant or tree would grow fast and reach 18 foot in height fast. It can be about 5 to 6 foo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with non-native, invasive Japanese Privet from Peoria AZ July 31, 2013 I have Japanese Privit bushes. one out of 6 has started to grow very small leaves and does not look healthy. Moon Valley told me shortage of zinc, but that has not helped in 3 months. What can I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing tree for privacy in Berkeley, CA July 30, 2013 Help. I need fast growing tree for backyard privacy. Where in Berkeley is there a tree nursery to Buy Pittosporum trees? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub to scrren house from dust from gravel road July 28, 2013 HI: We live in the foothills of Dobbins, California (2 hours North of Sacramento, Ca). I live on a gravel dirt road with traffic that goes about 45 miles an hour. When they drive by our house it lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves turning yellow on Banana Shrub in Eutaw. AL July 28, 2013 We have a very large (about 12' tall), very old (probably planted in the early 1900s) Banana Shrub in our front yard. It was very healthy until last year when its leaves began turning yellow and fal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weak flowering on rosa minutifolia from San Diego CA July 27, 2013 Hi, I have a Rosa minutifolia and has been doing great, but when it gives flowers the petals fall too fast, only last a day or two and also the fruit never forms completely and finishes drying so I ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for hanging flower boxes from Austin July 27, 2013 I have two long flower boxes 17" x 15" x 25 feet long one on the north side of the apt and one on the south made of metal suspended about four feet from the ground. One will get the morning sun and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Revegetation with Rosa Woodsii in Heber UT July 26, 2013 I am using Woods Roses for a revegetation project (to stop trail short cutting) in a public picnic area. Growing them from seed was too slow so I am experimenting with transplanting and it is working ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grapeland, TX is NOT Grapevine, TX July 25, 2013 I submitted a question and today received my answer. I do thank you for this valuable service. However, I stated that I lived in East Texas in GRAPELAND, Tx. Nan Hampton answered me and said that a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| An evergreen, deer-resistant shrub for Memphis July 24, 2013 I need an evergreen, deep to partial shade, deer resistant shrub or tree. Does such a plant exist? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for Oregon boxwood from Salt Lake City, UT July 24, 2013 I am seeking plugs / cuttings for paxistima myrsinites (mountain lover) in a large quantity and cannot seem to source them. If you have any sources I could contact; I need 2225 of them please forward... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagating Silky Sophora by seed from Elmendorf TX July 24, 2013 I have some seed for the Sophora nutalliana. What is the best way to germinate this seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for shaded area in East Texas July 23, 2013 I live in East Texas and have an area that is shaded most of the day - it only gets sun in the middle of the day but it is direct. What would be best? I would prefer something that won't freeze, bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought Tolerant Shrubs and Perennials in San Jose, CA July 18, 2013 Hello I am a SLT home owner in San Jose, Ca. and want to plant drought tolerant shrubs and perennials. We don't have irrigation but plan to put a timer on a nozzle and run some lines. At least I am t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Streambank Plants for SE Pennsylvania July 18, 2013 I help manage a nature preserve in southeastern Pennsylvania. Along the stream the banks have been beaten down by a large number of visitors for their educational activities such as stream studies. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Candelilla from Austin July 12, 2013 Good Morning and thank you for answering my question!! I am interested in planting a Candelilla plant (it looks like small bamboo plants growing only a 2-3 feet tall. I heard it is supposed to be ver... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for heavy clay in Sonoma County, California July 10, 2013 Hi, I live in Northern California, Sonoma County, and would like to transition my front garden into mostly native plants. Trouble is, my soil is clay, yicky, heavy clay, and some of the natives I've ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Support for non-native, invasive Nandina Domestica from San Antonio, TX July 09, 2013 I consider nandina domestica to be a perfect plant for San Antonio, but see that it is on the list of invasive plants for surrounding eco-areas. How should I respond regarding one of my favorite land... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy hedge for Palm Springs CA July 04, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants I have a 6 foot block wall, and my house is elevated, and I need a privacy hedge or tree (even flowering) to create more privacy. I do not want to use Ficus as I hear they can d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hankering for a view-blocking hedge in Hempstead, TX. July 03, 2013 Hempstead is 50 miles west of Houston and I am looking for a fast growing native to provide a block of a view for a fairly large area (about half a block). I would prefer something that is also benef... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for shrubs to plant in Southern Illinois. July 03, 2013 Hi. I am in Southern Illinois. I'm needing small shrubs for a south facing area. It's a 14ft. long by 2ft. wide area. Although it's facing south, it's not real sunny. A huge tree and swing is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What grows in Tampa FL July 01, 2013 Please let me know what grows in the backyard in Tampa, FL to provide screening and privacy? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-flowering plants in Scottsdale AZ July 01, 2013 I have three plants that are supposed to do well in Arizona but mine are not flowering. The yellow bells and orange jubilee I have get full sun, drip watered 3 x a week for 1 1/2 hrs (at 4am) and are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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