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.
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?
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
| topic | question | |
| Will sprouts under pecan trees become producing trees in Jefferson Co., AL? May 30, 2009 Do pecan trees that sprout up underneath existing pecans trees ever amount to anything such as producing and bearing pecans? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pink lady slipper orchids in Maine May 24, 2009 Hi, I have moved to Maine from Virginia--it's a new world of plants!!Exciting!! I have found 2 pink lady slippers on our property. What can I do to encourage them to multiply? I know some wild flowe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting yucca from pups in Alberta, Canada May 18, 2009 What is the procedure to start a new plant from the Yucca "pups?" Heavy wet snow damaged much of my yucca plant the winter before last and last summer it produced 3 of these new little ones but the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating sundrop plants in Dallas May 18, 2009 How do I propagate sundrop plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating a magnolia by cuttings in Rochester, NY May 15, 2009 How can I start a magnolia snip from my already existing tree, to grow another one from it, like a starter to pass on to someone? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rooting desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) from a cutting May 12, 2009 I found a desert willow with great bloom color and I am trying to root a cutting. I have never tried to root a cutting but I have read that desert willow is easy to root. My first attempt was in a vas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of woody plants by cuttings in Cairo, NY May 12, 2009 I have a tree in my yard and I am not sure what it is, it has these gorgeous pink cluster like flowers on it, my friend loves the tree and wants to know the steps to take a piece of my tree so she can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will Hesperaloe parviflora Yellow propagate true from seed? May 11, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, I have searched all over the internet and have not been able to find an answer to my question. Will Hesperaloe parviflora 'Yellow' propagate true from seed or is division requ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seeds from opuntia May 11, 2009 How do I get seeds from opuntias? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting birdwing passionflower in Canyon, TX April 17, 2009 First, thank you for all your help! Second, I have two bird-wing passionflowers that are growing next to the house. I'd like to move them because this is the area where I want to put in some raise... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for seeds of Collinsia verna (Mary Blue eyes) March 27, 2009 Dear Friends, I am desperately trying to locate (for purchase) seeds for the wildflower "Mary Blue Eyes" or "Spring blue-eyed Mary" (botanical name Collinsia Verna.) Internet searches for see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stubs of Texas Star Hibiscus in Abilene, TX March 26, 2009 We have cut back our outdoor Texas Star Hibiscus for 4 years and now have a large number of old stubs that the new growth must navigate around. Will it kill the plant if we dig up the old stubs? At so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting begonias in the Dallas area March 25, 2009 What month is it time to plant begonias in the Dallas, Texas area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should I remove the flowering stalk from my Dasylirion leioiphyllum? March 23, 2009 We transplanted a plant that is new to us but going through your photos on your website, it appears that we have a Dasylirion Leiophy. My question is this.. Are we supposed to cut the 6' stem that f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of cedar cuttings in Manitoba March 14, 2009 How to propagate cedar cuttings to form a hedge? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling size of red yucca in Austin March 13, 2009 I have planted red yucca in my backyard, which produces many flowering stalks for the past few years. These red yucca are becoming too large for the area that are planted in. What recommendations do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How can I propagate Giant Ball Moss? March 11, 2009 Recommended methods for propagation of Giant Ball Moss? (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsia baileyi rose ex small) Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will my Lisianthus survive the winter in Minnesota for another growing season? March 09, 2009 Do you know if Lisianthus plants planted one year, will come back the next year? We bought 6 gorgeous healthy plants last summer from a MN grower. We enjoyed them all last Summer and are wondering if ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Virginia wild strawberry plants for New Hampshire or Massachusetts February 25, 2009 Where can I find Virginia wild strawberry plants or seeds for my garden and will they grow up north in New Hampshire or Massachusetts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How can I propagate wax myrtle by soft-wood or semi-hardwood cuttings? February 24, 2009 Mr. Smartypants, I would like to propagate wax myrtle from mature plants I have growing in my yard here in Houston. I've read on the wildflower website to use "softwood" or "semi-hardwood" c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers after controlled burn in New Braunfels, TX February 19, 2009 I live in the Hill Country a few miles north of New Braunfels. As soon as we get enough rain to lift our burn ban, I will be thinning out some of my Ashe juniper and will do some burning in the open ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for sale end of April in Schertz TX February 13, 2009 I am trying to raise some native plants for a fund-raiser .They need to be salable by the end of April. Something with flowers would be nice. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Student project on Hudson Valley, NY native plants and ecology January 16, 2009 Mr. Smarty, Hi I am starting a project with a school group 4th-6th grade, that has a greenhouse. The goal is to teach children about native plants & ecology of the Hudson valley region in NY. We will ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting transplants of native Pleopeltis polypodioides January 15, 2009 I would like to know how to start Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern) growing in my oak trees. I have a source for the plants but do not know how to start the transplants on the limbs of the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proximity of male possumhaw to female January 11, 2009 Mr. Smarty Pants, In regards to fertilization, how close by must a male possumhaw be located to a female possumhaw? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for seeds or plant of Fendlera wrightii January 01, 2009 How I can get a plant or a seed of Fendlera Wrightii, Texas native bush. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Century plant offshoots in Denver January 01, 2009 Each year I get a small "baby" Century Plants in the early winter..December - January, But it dies off before summer. We live in Denver, CO My main plant is doing fine. Also, should I cut the lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper method of scattering bluebonnet seeds December 18, 2008 I scattered about 20 lbs of bluebonnet seeds during various times this past fall season. I have read that it is a must to plant the seeds about an 1/8" of an inch into the ground rather than surface ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Gardening book for beginner gardener December 06, 2008 What is a good gardening book for a beginner gardener who lives in Round Rock. Would like info for both vegetables and plants for landscaping. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ideas for first-time gardener in Chicago December 01, 2008 I am a first time gardener, so I know very little about planting. I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Can you give me some flower ideas that I can plant that are easy to maintain? I don't ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants native to Galveston that would survive in Austin December 01, 2008 What plants are native to the Galveston, Texas region? Can any of those plants survive in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to plant a gooseberry bush November 22, 2008 Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush. Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Cornus sericea by sprouts in Maryland November 21, 2008 I would like to transplant suckers of a red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). When is the best time to do it (before or during dormancy)? How big of a root system does each sucker need to survive? Where ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about growing mountain laurels (Sophora secundiflora) November 15, 2008 I live just outside of Austin on 10 acres. I have several very large mountain laurels on my property that I planted from containers. Mine flower profusely every year. I feed them bi-weekly and wate... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Mexican bonebract in Floresville, TX November 12, 2008 My kids and I finally identified a small plant that we found growing in our pasture. There was only one and it is lovely. It is the Mexican Bonebract. What I am interested in finding out is how to tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Presence of male Yaupon to ensure berries on female yaupons November 09, 2008 Does a female Yaupon have to be planted next to a male to insure berries every year? I have had "experts" tell me absolutely yes and others tell me absolutely not. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Assuring berries on Viburnum dentatum October 27, 2008 I just purchased 2 blue muffin viburnum bushes-I live in Kansas-How many years will it be before they get berries? They are full size(3-4 ft) Do I need to trim them down for winter or just mulch the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting pecan trees in Austin October 23, 2008 What's the protocol for planting pecan trees in the Austin area? What do you have to do to get them to grow and how long does it take? Can you plant just one? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting a pair of Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides for fruiting October 19, 2008 I'd like to plant a pair of witherod viburnums to improve their fruiting. Can I get the cross-pollination with a v. cassanoides together with a v. nudum? How close together do they need to be? (Ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting iris rhizomes in Wisconsin October 10, 2008 I live in central WI and was given some iris bulbs (think they are called Rhizomes) and have no idea how to go about planting them. I am very new to planting so step by step instructions with good de... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagating mimosa from seed October 09, 2008 I have a seed pod from a Mimosa tree. What is the best way to start this beautiful tree from seed. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis) October 08, 2008 I have seeds from a madrone tree and would like to know if you have had success propagating a madrone and if so, could you give me some tips, because I hear it can be tricky. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Requirements to grow Lupinus albifrons October 07, 2008 What is required to grow Lupinus albifrons? Temp., soil mix, alkaline or acid, etc.? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of native Ohio buckeye from seed September 25, 2008 My granddaughter has collected "buck eyes"; can we plant them to start our own tree? If so, how do we go about it! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Follow-up on Viburnum dentatum question September 24, 2008 This is a follow up to an earlier question, posted Sept 20, about Viburnum dentatum shrubs. I'm not sure I understand your answer. If the person having trouble getting berries went out and bought a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Starting desert willow from seeds September 21, 2008 Is it better to sow or start desert willow seeds in pots? If sowing is effective, is fall or spring the best time to sow in the Canyon Lake area of Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation by seed of Texas Mountain Laurel September 20, 2008 I just harvested a grocery bag full of Texas Mountain Laurel seed pods. I want to cast them out in a field and wooded area near NW Austin. Is it best to leave the seeds in the pods or remove the pod... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of Viburnum dentatum to produce berries in Maryland September 20, 2008 I planted several Viburnum dentatum shrubs in a hedgerow for my yard. Although I have some other viburnums in the yard, this shrub blooms profusely but does not ever produce berries. What can I do t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Altering the flowering time of Phacelia tanacetifolia September 08, 2008 I have been using Phacelia tanacetifolia as a forage plant in a 1 acre and 6 acre enclosure to mass rear the Blue Orchard Bee,(BOB), Osmia lignaria for use as a managed pollinator of almonds in Califo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| No female, hence, no squash. September 07, 2008 This is not a wild flower but. My grandchildren left a squash outside in a corner of a flower bed. This spring it grew. There are only male flowers, many of them, but no female, hence, no squash. Why... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |