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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| Lantana poisonous to people, animals May 07, 2008 Mr. Smarty Plants, I read your response to the woman with the cow eating her plants over her neighbors fence. Just so you know- Lantana is poisionous. To humans and cattle. You recommended it as a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Natural fibers for lashing bamboo in weaving May 07, 2008 I live in Austin and am looking for plants I can use for weaving fibers, e.g. lashing bamboo for a small project. What plants and parts do you recommend? What resources do you recommend for informatio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Echinacea poisonous to cats? May 01, 2008 Is the echinacea plant poisonous to cats? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on Royal Empress tree May 01, 2008 Would like to have some information on the royal empress tree; it is a non-native tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dealing with poison ivy April 22, 2008 Suggestions for eradicating Poison Ivy? I have just a small growth in my backyard. Thanks - View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mosaic virus in Poke Salad in East Texas April 20, 2008 I live in a rural East Texas, and have an abundance of Poke Salad. If you know how to prepare it, it's a springtime treat for anyone who enjoys veggies. However, for the last few years, many of the o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast growing trees in Idaho April 10, 2008 I want to plant fast-growing trees on my property in Idaho. What trees are poisonous to horses and dogs? I am particularly interested in the Royal Empress (Paulowmia) tree and the dogwood tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Campsis radicans or cow itch April 03, 2008 We cleaned my father-in-law's home-place up out in the country week-before-last. My wife, her 2 sisters and a niece have this unusual-looking poison on them. It is big red places and itches all ove... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about Rosa acicularis March 07, 2008 Hi: At your site under "Benefit" it is mentioned that the seeds, leaves bark and twigs of Rosa acicularis Lindl. can be fatally poisonous to humans and animals. None of my past or present studies h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants repellant to snakes October 20, 2007 Is there anything a gardener can plant to keep snakes away, especially poisonous snakes? Are there plants that attract snakes (Our dog was bitten by a cottonmouth right near our back porch a couple of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Rosa rugosa poisonous? August 04, 2007 Are beach plums from a Rosa rogosa poisonous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Lupinus ssp. (bluebonnets) June 25, 2007 Are bluebonnets toxic to cattle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recognizing poison ivy June 20, 2007 I am having a difficult time identifying poison ivy. It seems so many plants look like poison ivy can you help me I don't want to kill everything but on the same hand I don't want to itch. Thanks f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to get rid of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) April 25, 2007 Our school grounds are infested with lots of poison ivy. What is best remedy for extensive growth? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Safety of Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel tree) for parrots April 25, 2007 Do you have any information on the possible toxicity of Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel tree, sea myrtle) most especially the trunks/branches? We have it all over our property, and I'm curious if it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Using cattail fluff to stuff pillows April 22, 2007 Me and my children filled a pillow case with cattail feathers today and brought it home. My mother says that it is going to get or attract bugs. Are there any dangers in this little project? Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of seeds of Texas Mountain Laurel for dog April 07, 2007 I have a Tx Mountain Laurel that is in 1 end of a dog pen. I just heard the seeds are poisonous. Is this true & should we pull the seeds off so the dog can't reach them to eat? Thanks for your assist... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants toxic to horses March 09, 2007 I would like to landscape with native plants (I live south of you in Harlingen, TX) but I am concerned some might be dangerous to my horses. Do you have a list of either safe native plants or native ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants that will grow under alleopathic black walnut March 03, 2007 I have a large, beautiful black walnut tree in my yard and have trouble growing the annuals, begonia, impatients, etc., that I have always grown. They don't do well in the ground and I have resorted... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria sp) for food decoration September 04, 2006 Hi, I am trying to find out if I can decorate a cake using live alstroemeria laid on top of the icing. I would not want to eat the flower, just lay it on top to look pretty before removing and servi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for dog-safe privacy hedge in Missouri July 03, 2006 I live in Missouri and would like to put a "living fence" around my yard for some privacy. Ideally, I want something that is going to grow fast so that I don't have to wait years and years for my ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Mountain Laurel by seed April 20, 2006 I have a Texas Mountain Laurel. I found on this website that the beans are poisonous, but if you plant them, will they grow another Mountain Laurel? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Digestive distress from eating Lonicera sempervirens February 23, 2006 A friend of mine ate Lonicera sempervirens and it caused a burning sensation in his stomach. What may have caused this sensation? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Local native plant for grave marker in Washington December 30, 2005 Dear wildflower expert, Our friend’s dog died, and is buried in western Washington, near the town of Monroe. My wife is from central Texas, and thought a Texas perennial would be a nice marker. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants toxic to dogs December 08, 2005 Can you tell me where I can get information on plants poisonious to dogs? Deck and yard plants. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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