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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| Damage to yucca in San Marcos TX October 18, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, thank you for helping me with my buffalo grass is San Marcos TX back in the spring, my lawn is gorgeous thanks to you! I really need your help as someone sabotaged my beauti... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting USDA Hardiness Zones on our website from Yakima WA October 11, 2010 Since the Internet brings people from all over the United States, why don't you include the zone in which each plant can grow and survive. Or, is that too difficult to do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| BEST SPACING AND EXPECTED HEIGHT FOR ACEROLA (BARBADOS CHERRY) IN COLLEGE STATION, TX October 09, 2010 What is the best spacing for Malpighia glabra plants and how tall will they grow in College Station, TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants that survive Central Texas weather September 20, 2010 What type of plants survive the Central Texas region weather for summer and winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Newly planted magnolia in Hedron NE September 19, 2010 We planted a Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' in our landscape about 2 weeks ago. It is approx 7' tall. My question is should the leaves on it all be turning brown and crisp already or are doing some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas September 15, 2010 I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Move Roses or Ornamental Grasses in Crown Point, Indiana September 15, 2010 I have two ornamental grasses that grew real wide this year. They are blocking three big knock out roses that are four foot tall and four foot wide. My question is which one would be easier to dig up ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need Native Plants for Ditch Stabilization in Texarkana, Arkansas September 14, 2010 I live in Texarkana, Arkansas. I have a ditch near the street in my front yard that is approximately 90-100 ft. long. It gets full sun. There is a lot of clay and rocks in the ditch. I need to fin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Annual plants for weed control in Pflugerville,TX? September 14, 2010 Can you suggest an annual or summer-dormant plant to mix with Dalea frutescens? The object is to discourage the spring-emerging weeds that precede the leafing out of the Dalea, so it should finish bl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should I plant a potted Texas Star Hibiscus in August in Austin, TX? August 12, 2010 I bought a red Texas Star Hibiscus, in March, in a 6" pot and 2 ft tall. I repotted it to a 12" clay pot, put it under deck roof near edge, where it gets a bit of morning sun and filtered light res... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sumacs under live oaks dying in Austin August 08, 2010 Converted my yard to native plants last fall. All of the fragrant and evergreen sumacs are dying off one by one - they have never thrived. I ensure they get a good soaking at least once a week. I w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown spots on young redbuds in Lincoln TX August 01, 2010 I have lined my driveway in Lee County Texas with Red bud trees purchased both in Dripping Springs and in College Station. The 14 trees are of varying ages and heights (planted during the fall and wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant to cover retaining wall in Carlisle PA August 01, 2010 I have a block retaining wall in my back yard. I need to find a quick growing plant that will grow through late summer into fall and cover the wall with limited sunlight. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of honeysuckle bushes from Coaldale Alberta Canada July 30, 2010 I have 2 honeysuckle bushes that I want to get rid of. I am wondering if Honeysuckle bushes have very deep roots (are they hard to dig out?) I am 70 years old and didn't know if I'd be able to dig ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennials for flower bed in Humble TX July 28, 2010 I have a 10 foot by 10 foot flower bed that needs to be replanted and I am located in Houston, TX so what would be some good perennials to plant that are good to grow in this heat? I have been told L... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennials for mountain cabin in Southern California July 26, 2010 We have a mountain cabin at 7,000ft elevation in S. California. Please recommend native perennials. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to Plant Now feature? July 20, 2010 Would y'all at all consider having a "What To Plant Now" section" and/or a "What's Blooming Now" one. You are very generous with your information, but if I wanted to "go native", it seems tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White fuzz on pine tree bark in Dartmouth MA July 13, 2010 We have white fuzz on our pine tree bark? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in American beautyberry in Birmingham AL July 13, 2010 We created a new garden area in our yard that gets full sun in the afternoon. I had a Beautyberry Bush that had seriously outgrown the area where we originally planted it (also full sun), so I transp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Amendments for faster-growing trees from Bulverde TX July 04, 2010 What faster growing trees will grow in black gumbo clay that is about 12 inches deep above caliche rock in full sun with a sprinkler system set on 1 inch/week? How many and how much amendments such... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Digging up and transplanting wild plants in Alloway NJ July 01, 2010 I saw some wild growing black eyed susans in a passing field so I dug some up this weekend and planted them in my garden now they look like they are dying. Do you think they will come back next year ?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distance apart to plant Arizona ash trees in El Paso, TX July 01, 2010 How far apart can I plant two Arizona ash trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer producing leaves over flower production in Austin June 27, 2010 Can you please list which Central Texas perennials' will favor leaf growth over flower production when fertilized? I have many in the "Grown Green" booklet and need to know which flowering plants s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Annual flowers for fall planting in San Antonio June 22, 2010 What are some recommended annual flowers for fall planting in a small garden in San Antonio? Also any help on planting and cultivating would be appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Taking bluebonnets to Anchorage AK from Sealy TX June 10, 2010 Moving to Anchorage Alaska from Texas and I am bringing bluebonnet seeds to plant there. Will the moose eat these plants/flowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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