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?
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 | |
Flowering shrubs and vines for San Angelo, Texas May 28, 2015 Hello What would be the best flowering shrubs and vines to plant here in dry San Angelo? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to propagate Scarlet leatherflower (Clematis texensis) May 25, 2015 How do you collect seeds for the scarlet leatherflower? I saw your answer on how to grow from seeds but I'm not sure how to collect the seeds. Also is it possible to grow the scarlet leatherflower... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant for Erosion Control on Wooded Slope in MD May 19, 2015 We are looking for a plant to help with erosion control on a wooded slope next to our drive. The roots of several of the trees are exposed like a shelf, so I think it's a fairly severe problem. We ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identity of vining plants in yard in Texas May 08, 2015 I have vining plants in my back-yard, here when I bought the house, that, from what I have been able to find on-line, look like poison sumac, however, I know they are not. Leaf shape, color, and appe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Vines for a backyard pergola not toxic to dogs and cats April 26, 2015 We have just built a pergola in out backyard and are wanting a vine to grow up and around the posts. We have 3 dogs and also have a cat that loves to go outside. We are really looking for something th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Passiflora and Leucophyllum together in Texas April 23, 2015 I've got a Passiflora incarnata that has self-propagated around a cenizo sage. My question is, will the passionflower vine choke out or otherwise damage the cenizo? Do I need to cut back the vine? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for a children's playground April 20, 2015 We have extensive native gardens on our 2 acre property, but my children want a garden of their own with plants they can hide under and that are good for imaginative play. Are there any native plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen groundcovers for NE NC April 20, 2015 Can you please provide a list of evergreen native groundcovers for Northeastern NC? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of ivy-like plant with large purplish leaves. March 27, 2015 Can you ID this ivy-like growing plant with a big purplish elephant ear type leaf and a big green stem pouch? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Vine for Chain Link Fence in Virginia March 25, 2015 I am from Great Falls, Virginia. I would like to know what the best vine is to grow on aluminum fences to cover them up quickly but also doesn't damage expensive fences in a long term? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |