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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TIps for tree grafting. March 10, 2010 When should you start grafting trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to transplant agarita in Floresville, TX. March 10, 2010 How is the best way to propagate Agarita? I have acres of them in the pasture but want some for the house landscape and to grow. I was told they go dormant for a year if you dig them up to transplan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Possumhaw Holly from berries in Marble Falls, TX January 31, 2010 Any suggestions for getting a Possumhaw Holly to grow from the red berries? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin January 21, 2010 I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blossoms but no fruit for gooseberries in Enoch UT January 16, 2010 My gooseberries always get loads of blossoms, but I never get fruit. I think they need more sun, and thus, want to transplant them to a sunnier location. What (and when) is the best way to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When can bluebonnet seeds in freezer be planted in Midland TX January 12, 2010 I have a large pkg of bluebonnets in my freezer that I had planned to plant in October and forgot. Is January too late for Bluebonnets to come up in March-April? A year ago in Spring my brother and I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Duplicate of English holly for Eufaula OK January 03, 2010 I wish to have a shrub that would duplicate the red berries and foliage of English holly. Tolerance of cultivation is also desired. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pollination of dwarf wax myrtles in Lucas TX January 02, 2010 I recently planted 3 dwarf wax myrtles then realized all were females. Do you know if the full-sized version can be used to pollinate the dwarfs? Any idea how close the pollinator needs to be? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why do some plants resprout in Spring from Crestwood KY December 08, 2009 I am a 5th grade student at Crestwood Elementary School; and one of my classmates came up with an excellent question that I can not answer. Here it is: Why do some plants (like bulbs) resprout in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Timing for planting wildflower seeds in the Pacific Northwest November 27, 2009 Do you think it is better to sow wildflower seeds in the Pacific NW in the Fall/early Winter or Spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Few seeds from turkscap in Seguin, TX November 14, 2009 I have several Turk's cap plants but most do not produce seed. Any ideas? They have been in place 5 plus years. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Why is my yaupon tree not producing berries in Metairie La? November 04, 2009 What is the lifespan of a Yaupon Tree? We live in Louisiana, and our Yaupon would always get the white flowers in the Spring but never the red berries. Why is that? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of American Beautyberry November 03, 2009 Hello. I would love to know how to propagate the American Beauty (Texas Location) as I think it is most gorgeous. We lost most of our shrubs/plants in Ike and are replacing them. If I do these from ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are there production timing guides for native plant production? October 27, 2009 We need growers timetable guide for native plants from seed to salable size. Any already published guides out there? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sales of horseherb seeds in Arlington, TX area October 27, 2009 Where can I purchase horseherb seeds in Arlington tx.or Dallas Ft.Worth area View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germination of Passiflora suberosa in Monterrey Mexico October 26, 2009 Hello, I need recommendation on how to germinate Passiflora seeds. I have a Passiflora suberosa plant, not on your database but native, and have fresh fuits of it. They look very much like a blueber... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Gathering Purple Coneflower seeds in Burnet TX October 10, 2009 I have grown some Purple Coneflower and now am trying to save the seeds to plant next spring. I have a bucket full of dried tops and I know there is a lot of seeds. Is there an easy way to separate ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagating American Beautyberry in Medina OH October 05, 2009 I brought home a small branch of American beautyberries when I was vacationing in N. Carolina. How do I go about planting them and will they survive in the Cleveland area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cold hardiness of Liatris bulbs October 05, 2009 I live in Lexington KY - This spring I planted Liatris or Blazing Stars. Should I take up the bulbs and replant in spring or leave them in the ground? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removal of pups from Century Plant after blooming in Prairieville LA October 03, 2009 Will the main part of the century plant always die after it grows a stalk? I have babies coming off the base and need to know if I should separate them to keep them alive. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Mexican buckeye from seeds in San Antonio October 02, 2009 I recently collected seeds from a Mexican buckeye. Is it best to plant them now or wait until spring? Do they need to be scarified? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagating a new tree from a magnolia in Johnsburg IL September 22, 2009 My friend would like to reroot her magnolia tree in her front yard to bring it with her to Memphis. The tree is huge and easiest to reroot if possible. Does she trim branches to root, or dry the seeds... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Nutlet on rudbekia plants from Quincy IL September 21, 2009 On rudbeckia plants, what is a nutlet? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dividing obedient plant in New Waterford OH September 19, 2009 I live in northeast Ohio, and have an obedient plant, which has spread, (a little) since last year when I bought it. I really do like the plant, and wanted to put it in several more areas in the garde... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Failure to bloom of Turk's cap in Midland TX September 08, 2009 My turk's cap won't make flowers. It has daily watering via irrigation system, and soft amended soil. The plant is beautiful and thriving, but no flowers. What should I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of myrtle in Wapperger Falls, NY September 01, 2009 How do you propagate myrtle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting azalea sprouts in St Louis MO August 27, 2009 I have an azalea bush that I cut back severely 2 years ago and unwittingly started 3 or 4 new bushes when some limbs grew back along the ground and created their own roots. I'd like to separate them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Volunteer wax myrtles in Tuscaloosa, AL August 26, 2009 I have Wax Myrtles growing in my front yard. I have noticed that some shrubs have sprouted in my back yard that have leaves that are exactly like my wax myrtles. Can Wax Myrtles sprout from seed or h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting adventitious shoots of a mountain laurel in San Antonio August 20, 2009 Is it possible to transplant branches (shoots) growing from a mountain laurel that was chopped down? Some are two years old and several feet tall (but not yet blooming) and some as small as a foot. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Deadheading Asclepias tuberosa in Fishers IN August 19, 2009 My Asclepias tuberosa plants are flowering well in their second year and also have formed many seed pods. Since I don't need the seeds, will they bloom more if I remove them or is it unnecessary? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trimming prairie coneflower for lower height when blooming in Hampshire IL August 16, 2009 Can the prairie coneflower, Ratibida Columnifera, be cut by half or some amount before setting flower buds to force the plant to bloom at a shorter height? If not, when is the best time to dig and tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting Sideroxylon lanuginosum in Austin August 12, 2009 I have a tall (30-40 ft) Sideroxylon lanuginosum in my backyard. Last fall hundreds of saplings popped up in my yard following runners from the tall tree. I would like to keep a few of these sapling... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Century Plant in St. Petersburg FL August 09, 2009 CENTURY PLANT PROPAGATION View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Prunus Mexicana in Rusk TX July 29, 2009 How do you scarify seeds from the Prunus Mexicana? Can the branches be made to grow roots? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting or seeding Indian paintbrush in Bend OR July 21, 2009 I would like to know whether I can transplant native Indian paintbrush plants into my landscaping, or do I need to try and grow them from seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas. July 21, 2009 How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Save and store pigeonberry seeds from Austin July 20, 2009 What is the best way to save and store pigeonberry seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Separate pups on Manfreda variegata in Tucson July 20, 2009 Can you tell me the best way to separate pups on a Manfreda variegata? The first ones we tried were very close to the main plant. Your help is appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of redbuds from shoots in St. Louis MO July 17, 2009 I have a beautiful, healthy old redbud tree that I love. Every year, I find baby redbud trees rooted all over my yard, Since they are deep, I can't seem to dig them out so I simply cut them down to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting sparkleberry trees in Southport NC July 07, 2009 I am interested in transplanting some sparkleberry trees to my yard. It is on the Cape Fear River and it would have full sun for a large part of the day. When would be a good time to transplant the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Eliminating suckers from roots of Moraine locust in Hilliard, OH July 07, 2009 We removed a large Moraine Locust tree and also the stump. Now little trees from the roots are coming up. How do we get rid of these so something else can be planted? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hand pollinating watermelon grown indoors in Denver July 06, 2009 Hi! I'm growing watermelon indoors and I was wondering if I had to self pollinate it? Their flowers just started blooming! If so, how do I go about doing this? Thank you so much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dividing blackeyed susans in Lake Ronkoko NY July 06, 2009 How are you supposed to divide blackeyed susan's? And when is the best time to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How does Graptopetalum filiferum produce seeds? June 22, 2009 Hi I have a Graptopetalum filiferum. I found a seed on top of one of the plants and it resembles something like a cantelope melon seed-about 1/3" long, orange. Do these succulents produce seeds i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Redbud tree propagated from root sprouts in Greenwood IN June 20, 2009 Our Red Bud tree broke down to ground level and before we dug up the root several new sprouts have started growing out of it and all around the perimeter(they are approx. 4" high). My question is, c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How close to a male tree will a new female persimmon need to be planted to ensure pollination in Austin, TX? June 17, 2009 I have a male Texas Persimmon in the back corner of my yard. I would like to plant a female Texas Persimmon in the front yard, more than 100 feet away? How far away do you think they should be place... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blazing stars plants in Sanderson, FL June 15, 2009 I planted some blazing stars & they did not come up.What is the best way to start them out? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to propagate milkweed from root cuttings June 08, 2009 I am interested in propagating Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed). Your info page for this species says it can be propagated via root cuttings. Does this mean I can lop off a chunk of the root/tuber ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Field of Dreams June 07, 2009 I planted a field of sunflowers in April. I transplanted some of the crowded plants to different rows in mid-May - no problems. I have tried to transplant some of the plants this first week of June ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pollination by dwarf yaupons of normal size selections in Gadsden AL May 31, 2009 Can dwarf varieties of male yaupons be used to pollinate non dwarf female yaupons? Specific males in question are Shillings (Stokes Dwarf) yaupon and Bordeaux Condeaux. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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