Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 10 next >> 
98 Results:   10 25  50  100 per page


topicquestion
Cutting back perennials from Austin
February 08, 2011
When is it time to cut back native plants; salvia;copper canyon daisy; verbena, etc?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Should grape vines be covered in winter from San Antonio
February 07, 2011
Do I need to cover grape vines in winter?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Time to cut back Turk's Cap in Austin
January 27, 2011
I did not find my question answered in the database. My question is: When is the best time to cut back Red Turks Cap? I live in Central Austin.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Raising bluebonnets in Stanford CA
January 17, 2011
I'm a Houston girl now living in Northern California (Stanford). I would like to know if I need to adjust my growing timing for lupinus texensis? Mostly, I want to know when I should actually put th...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Pruning cherry laurel in January in Austin
January 07, 2011
Do trust I checked Q&A first. Can Cherry Laurel shrubs be pruned earlier than late winter in Austin? I foolishly planted 12 native Cherry Laurel standards on our suburban property line 5 years ago. I ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Winter wrappings for plants in Ellenton Florida
December 23, 2010
Hi and thank you for your time, I do appreciate it. I have one question. I live in Florida and yes we do get frost and temps down to 28 degrees in the winter. last year I lost almost 50 plants tha...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Cutting Juncus effusus back from Bellevue WA
November 18, 2010
I read your posts about Juncus effusus and just have one follow-up question. When is the best time to cut them back to the ground - before winter or early spring? I live in the Pacific NW. I recent...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

When to plant in Austin
November 02, 2010
I own a small landscaping business in the Austin area, and we are admittedly learning every day, but trying to do the right thing. We are knowledgeable about the sun, water, soil requirements for a v...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

How do I prepare blackfoot daisies for winter in Austin, TX
October 19, 2010
I have blackfoot daisies in my garden that have bloomed all summer. They are cascading out of the bed onto my lawn/grass. They have been so beautiful that I hate to cut them back. How do I prepare t...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Winter pruning for yucca in Adrian, Michigan
October 11, 2010
Can I cut yucca plants down for winter months.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 10 next >> 
98 Results:   10 25  50  100 per page