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.
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Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX August 31, 2012 I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting a non-native rose from Akron OH August 30, 2012 Can I transplant a rose plant that I have in sunny area to an area that will be partially shady? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ailing Tecoma stans from Phoenix AZ August 24, 2012 I have several young Tecoma plants in my Phoenix, AZ garden. I planted them in June and have tended to them over the summer. They are watered twice daily. On some of the plants, I've noticed two oddi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sycamore leaf snowbell from Pleasanton TX August 18, 2012 How do you care for a sycamore leaf snowbell. Does it like sun or part shade? How much water? How often and what should it be fed. How fast or slowly does it grow? Anything you can tell me would be ap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with Silverado Sage in Pearland, TX. July 28, 2012 Hi, We have three Silverado Sage bushes we planted last year. They did great during the drought. However, this winter they had a severed leaf drop of mostly just the centers of them. These cente... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Watering Native Trees in Georgetown, TX July 19, 2012 I installed a native/adapted plantscape in early March including several small trees. They were planted in the rocky soil west of I-35 in Georgetown with plenty of added compost and mulch. Other than ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Redbud leaves turning yellow in mid-summer July 13, 2012 The leaves on our redbud trees are turning yellow. The yellow leaves are pale with no other spots and no dark veins. I don't know for sure which variety of redbud they are or how old they are (more t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Care of Live Oaks July 11, 2012 We have Two Young Live Oaks in the front of Our home. We had them treated for insects, ect. Now what can we do to make them Full Green and Happy Happy Happy again.Thank You View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recycling bath water from Austin July 03, 2012 Is using bath water going to hurt my plants or grass? If I use water from the bath on vegetables and fruits will the soap be absorbed by the fruit and/or vegetables thereby transferring to us when we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drip irrigation and uneven distribution June 29, 2012 Subject: Drip irrigation and uneven distribution. I’ve installed drip irrigation in an area of mature shrubs (St. John’s Wort) in Austin. These have previously received about ¾ inch of water once ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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