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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| Is Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittonianna) toxic to dogs June 23, 2009 I would like to know if the plant known as Mexican petunia,or Katie dwarf (Ruellia brittonianna) is toxic for dogs. Thank you. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are variegated ginger plants poisonous to cats? June 16, 2009 Is a variegated ginger plant poisonous to cats? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Photinia toxicity to dogs June 15, 2009 is the photinia bush toxic to dogs?? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How toxic are wild cherries for horses? June 11, 2009 I purchased a beautiful piece of heaven in the rural suburbs. I have three horses and grow my own hay. Unfortunately, I have just learned the woods surrounding my field is lined with Black Walnut, Wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is purple grass poisonous if eaten by a dog? June 04, 2009 Is purple grass poisonous if eaten by a dog? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Cleveland Pear trees in Georgia toxic to horses and/ or dogs? June 02, 2009 Are flowering Cleveland Pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) poisonous to horses and/or dogs? I have read that the prunus species are, does that include pear trees? Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When will angels trumpet bloom in Vero Beach, FL? May 31, 2009 At what age or height will my angel's trumpet be able to produce flowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are berries from the Carrot Wood Tree toxic to animals? May 26, 2009 Hello, I am trying to find out if the berries on the carrot wood tree are toxic to animals - dog? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Viburnum dentatum (Chicago Lustre) toxic to horses May 26, 2009 Are Chicago Lustre Viburnum -- Viburnum Dentatum -- toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating skunk cabbage in Troy, NY May 19, 2009 My yard is overgrown with skunk cabbage. My question is how do I get rid of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Penstemon cobaea poisonous May 12, 2009 Is Penstemon cobaea Nutt or Wild foxglove poisonous like real fox glove? It is on a playground and Im concerned that it may not be safe for children. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of poison ivy May 08, 2009 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, Likewise I also have a shady area in my yard with overgrowth of poison ivy. It borders a small duck pond and we have a Golden Retriever. I too would like to plant soon afterward... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Texas ragwort (Senecio ampullaceus) toxic to livestock? May 05, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question related to Texas Ragwort (Senecio ampullaceus): I am concerned about toxicity to livestock as well as interested in natural control methods. I was recentl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Laws pertaining to sale of poisonous plants May 05, 2009 Are there any laws pertaining to the sale of poisonous plants. do they have to be labeled as poisonous by law? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is any part of flowering peach (Prunus persica) toxic to dogs April 26, 2009 I know that peach pits and wilting leaves are poisonous to dogs, but can you tell me if any part of the Red Flowering Peach Tree (no fruit) is toxic? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are dogwood trees poisonous to horses? April 26, 2009 Are dogwood trees poisonous to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen hedge non-toxic for horses and goats in Muskogee, OK March 31, 2009 I live in northeastern Oklahoma. I am trying to find an evergreen hedge, 6-8 ft in height, 4-6 ft spread that is not harmful to horses or goats. Everything that I have found is for Zone 8 or 9. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can the buds and flowers from my Rhodendron tree be toxic to my puppy? Yes March 23, 2009 I recently got a new 7 week old puppy that keeps trying to play with and eat buds and flowers off my Rhododendron tree. Could this be toxic to him? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) poisonous? March 18, 2009 I have a Cataractarum (Cat) Palm and am wondering if it is poisonous. I have a Cockatiel who likes to play in it. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do prairie verbenas (Glandularia bipinnatifida) have toxic sap? March 16, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Wimberley, TX and my 6 year old daughter picked wildflowers for her Mom over the weekend. I believe the species was Prairie Verbena but not 100% certain. Now, fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Potential allelopathy of cultivar of Artemisia ludoviciana March 09, 2009 I recently submitted a question regarding allelopathic potential of artemisia ludoviciana on rusty blackhaw viburnum, not specifying that I meant Vibernum rufidulum. Mr. SP interpreted my viburnum as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can hackberry twigs and leaves be safely used in compost? March 05, 2009 If Hackberry trees and leaves have growth inhibiting compounds, should they not be used in compost piles? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cake decorations with flowers February 25, 2009 Can I decorate a cake with bluebonnets, lavender or mountain laurel blooms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Artemesia ludoviciana allelopathic? February 20, 2009 I recently read that Artemisia ludoviciana is allelopathic to some other plants. I planted some last fall between a rusty blackhaw viburnum and a Mexican buckeye. Do you know whether it is phytotoxi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is resurrection plant (Selaginella lepidophylla) toxic? February 14, 2009 Is Resurrection plant (Selaginella lepidophylla)toxic? Is it safe for children to handle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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