Native Plants
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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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| topic | question | |
| Yucca elata flowering in Tauranga, NZ. August 20, 2009 I have two huuuuuuge Yucca elatas in my garden. One of them flowered spectacularly last year - a 15ft stalk that grew so quickly you could hear it, and then burst into a cloud of waxy cream flowers. M... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ensuring survival of wax myrtle in Wilmington, NC July 29, 2009 I just transplanted some wax myrtle bushes. What do I need to do to insure they live? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock in my Nuttall Oak tree in Moore, OK. July 23, 2009 I had a Nutall oak tree planted; it is 5 inches in diameter and about 24 feet tall. It was planted in March of this year, leafed out ok; now since June 20th I have had a large quantity of the leaves t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas. July 21, 2009 How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting a magnolia tree in Avon IN July 04, 2009 We moved in our house a couple of years ago,We have a small Magnolia tree, well, looks like a bush right in front of our porch. We want to move it but do not know the best time to move. Can you tell m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to care for newly transplanted Live Oak. July 02, 2009 I planted 3 B & B, 6" caliper live oaks in February and they lost most of their leaves during the normal time but when the new leaves grew back the amount of leaves were quite a bit less. I have th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown leaves on possumhaw holly in Grandview TX July 02, 2009 What would be likely causes for brown leaves on possumhaw holly? We have 2, one was planted in spring 2008, and a slightly larger one planted late winter/early spring this year. Most of the leaves a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to come up of blackeyed susans in Lancaster PA June 28, 2009 My blackeyed susans have been blooming for ten years. All of a sudden this year they didn't come up at all..why? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| My newly planted Redbuds are not doing well. June 24, 2009 I ordered and received 2 Red Bud trees from one of the popular ordering houses. They explained that they were dormant and not dead, and gave us instructions on how to plant them, which we followed. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing and planting Yucca and pups in New Mexico June 23, 2009 I bought a Yucca plant and had 7 plants in one planter 1 large and 6 small. We wanted to split up the plants so we carefully separated them and planted them. My soil is very sandy (Rio Rancho) but I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanted crabapple tree problems in Alberta June 18, 2009 We transplanted a crabapple tree a couple of weeks ago. There was an abundance of clay in the soil where it was re-planted and even with all the watering, it isn't doing well. Any suggestions on how ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for Blackfoot daisy? June 05, 2009 Hi, I have two blackfoot daisies and one has died. I've planted them in full sun on a well drained slope. Do these ususally die after blooming? Should I cut the other one back? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need plants for full sun in Dallas Texas. May 20, 2009 What plants are best to use for full sun in Dallas Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Trillium in Quebec. May 13, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in the Laurentiens of Quebec where they are putting a HWY in my back yard. I have a lot of white trillium that I am wanting to transplant before they start the excava... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low maintenance replacement garden in Ashburn , VA April 30, 2009 We live in Ashburn, VA (Northern VA). Our house is 10 years old and the contractor grade plants have died. We are planning on digging everything up and re-doing the landscaping in our front yard - r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon April 28, 2009 I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants under oak trees April 21, 2009 I have a large live oak (actually several) in my front yard, which basically puts the beds at the foundation of my house in full shade. I tore out the builder-boxwoods and privets, hoping to plant so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting instructions for horsetail March 10, 2009 Re: Equisetum hyemale L. Canuela, Horsetail, Scouring rush, Scouringrush horsetail I bought a 1-gal Equisetum hyemale for my seep/pond. In searching the web, I find conflicting planting instructions... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bare spot in Prairie Phlox in Austin February 25, 2009 I have Prairie Phlox in my garden that I have had for about 4 to 6 years. I got the original plant from the NPSOT at their booth one year at the Wildflower center. It is really lovely in the spring wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recently planted live oak tree in Boerne, TX February 07, 2009 My brother planted a live oak in August. It was from a nursery and had a root ball. It looks dead but I keep watering it. The trunk is about 6 inches around. The leaves died but when the winds came th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Probably non-native crapemyrtle trees damaged by hurricane January 15, 2009 I have 5 crape myrtle trees. I live in Galveston, Tx and when Hurricane Ike came through in September the salt water I think killed them. They have not come back since then and are brown with no leave... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for winter installation in Houston January 01, 2009 What plants can you plant in the winter, Houston, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Timing for transplanting a yaupon in Louisiana January 01, 2009 I found a female yaupon growing wild at the back of my property and would like to move it to the front. When should I do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dwarf golden cypress outgrowing their space December 28, 2008 I planted two dwarf golden cypress on opposite sides of a dwarf alberta spruce in a small bed by the front door. After 4 years I have to severely prune back the dwarf cypress in spring as they will sp... 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 | ||
| Native flower bed with part sun December 05, 2008 I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen... 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 | ||
| Repotting of lemon cypress for drainage October 26, 2008 Hi, I bought a lemon cypress tree in a nice tin, It is in Plastic and the bottom has about 1.5" of water with no drainage in the plastic or tin. It will be kept inside. Does the plant need to be in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting native flame leaf sumac in Eden, TX October 26, 2008 We have tried without success to transplant a flame leaf sumac from the ranch to the house. What are we doing wrong? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper time of year to plant evergreens in New York October 25, 2008 Dear Smarty Plants, Is it too late to plant evergreen Thuja, blue spruce and firs in Cleveland, New York? Vicki View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Watering needs for a new landscape October 11, 2008 How much and how frequently are you supposed to water after implementing a new landscape? For example, perennials and succulents that are drought tolerant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Survival of native yaupon in The Woodlands, TX after hurricane September 25, 2008 One of my large native yaupons trees (8ft) fell away from a group during the hurricane. I have uprighted and tied it off for stability. Now the leaves are all brown and falling. Is the tree dead or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting hackberry trees in Texas September 17, 2008 I live N of Ft Worth,Tx is there a trick to digging up & transplanting hackberry trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Submerged paving under lawn September 07, 2008 I had 4 patches of rectangular areas (about 4'x6'or more) in my lawn where the grass is fine in spring but totally dies in summer. I decided to till these bare patches so that grass may grow better... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Virginia creeper September 02, 2008 I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Protecting a new patio from oak roots September 01, 2008 Hello, I have just formed up for a new patio. I have a Live Oak tree about 2' away from the patio. It has a trunk diameter of about 10", I believe 20-25 years old. Problem: I have 2 large roots in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping help for Gilmer, TX September 01, 2008 We have just moved to the beautiful hot state of Texas from warm California and we need some help! Our roses are dying, we have a patch about 25ft. by 3ft. that gets the rain run off like a little str... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Damage to native elm in Texas August 20, 2008 We had a major landscape renovation done over the winter. One of the trees, an elm about 10 yrs old, remained in the bed although plants around it were removed. The tree has suddenly started turning... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf fall from Cedar Elm planted in clay August 17, 2008 I saw the answer to leaves falling off a cedar elm planted in clay. However I planted a Cedar Elm in my back yard. I dug a hole in the grass then planted and put grass back on top. I water every other... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants August 15, 2008 Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lilac bush roots dangerous to house foundations August 06, 2008 Are lilac bushes dangerous to the foundation of a house? There is a lovely white-blooming lilac that grows against the house outside my bedroom window. My ex-husband said that the roots would destro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Texas Star hibiscus July 31, 2008 Why is my Texas star plant wilting and now is starting to turn yellow? I just bought it from a nursery and put it in a new pot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will desert rose (Rosa stellata) survive in south Florida July 30, 2008 I have a mature desert rose and I wanted to plant it in the ground. I live in southwest Florida.I want to know will it survive and should I wait to plant it next year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of previously-planted perennials July 23, 2008 HI I JUST MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE THIS YEAR THE PREVIOUS OWNERS PLANTED A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL PERENNIALS BUT I WANTED TO PLANT OVER ONE OF THE PERENNIALS THAT I REALLY DO NOT CARE FOR. IS THAT POSSIBLE? I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning blue potato tree (Lycianthus rantonnei) July 14, 2008 I wrote earlier about a blue potato tree(Lycianthus rantonnei) the top appears dead but if you break a branch it is still green, what would happen to it if I cut all the branches forming at the bottom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about blackleaf elderberry July 03, 2008 I was given a blackleaf elderberry. Do I plant this tree in shade or sun? Also, does it require a lot of moisture? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom in hybrid lantana June 30, 2008 I live in Austin and have planted the newer lantana varieties which bloom with orange and pink flowers.They have been planted in full sun and get watered 2 times a week for about 15 minutes.They do no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-blooming Tecoma stans in Fredericksburg, TX June 30, 2008 We have an esperanza plant purchased last year from Walmart and planted outside before winter. It flowered excellently last year. Just before winter we cut it back to about a foot. So far this summer ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Buffaloberry from Grandma June 25, 2008 I have a "BUFFALO BERRY" that my Grandma brought back from South Dakota.It is approx.8yrs.old.All was well until this spring.It was budding out when we had a very hard freeze and got 3" of snow.Now... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Improperly prepared building site in Virginia June 24, 2008 Hi, I have a question about planting on newly-built homesite. We just moved into a new home in DC suburbs (Northern VA) and the landscape is the worst of the builder grade. There are prickly junipers ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Taproot tree to replace willows by pool June 23, 2008 Installing Pool with bomanite decking all around it. We're in process of cutting down 18 year old Weeping Willow due to root invasiveness and small messy leaves. Can you recommend a good shade tree w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-blooming rhododendron in Connecticut June 02, 2008 A two or three yr old rhododendron has not blossomed - ever! All other plants in landscape doing well, but not this one. Help View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Liatris spicata May 25, 2008 I bought a liatris spicata start a month ago, and transplanted it into my front yard (full sun, clay soil, moist due to all the rain recently). The plant immediately wilted so I transplanted it in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Chlorosis in tropical milkweed and asclepias tuberosa May 18, 2008 I planted both tropical milkweed and asclepias tuberosa. Both are chlorotic and the native milkweed has brown upturned leaves. Could it possibly be too much water? Or what? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sides for raised gardens May 01, 2008 I am wanting to put in raised gardens. What is the best product for the sides? Wood? If so, what kind? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown, dry leaves on weeping willow tree May 01, 2008 We live in central TX and have just planted a weeping willow tree. Our back yard has a retention pond and ravine that parallels our property and we were told that the weeping willow will do perfectly ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Too late to begin planting in May in Austin? April 30, 2008 Is it too late to begin planting in May? I live in Austin Texas and have finally completed my plans for a native Texas landscaping (plants and grass) of my front yard. I'd like to get the landscapi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for poorly drained clay soil March 24, 2008 I am trying to establish a native plant garden in my back yard, I have two places where water stands for a few hours after a heavy rain, and the soil is black clay. Can you recommend any perennials 3... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Optimum planting time for perennials and trees November 02, 2007 Our group is running out of fall workdays. Is it OK to plant native perennials and small trees in Central Texas during the winter months? Or should we wait now until the spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fall planting time for mixed perennial bed October 20, 2007 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Dripping Springs and have constructed four 10-12" raised beds (total of ~600 sqft.) on the Front (NW facing - fairly exposed) side of my house that I would like to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of camas being raised in Edmonton, Alberta September 18, 2007 I live in Edmonton, Alberta, and wish to find out how "Camassia (leichtlinii white) will fare in this zone. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in Texas natives garden August 20, 2007 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I thought that my new Texas Natives garden was recuperating from ALL the rain. But, suddenly, my Texas Red Bud and the Eve's Necklace next to it have MANY yellow leaves. Is the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Late-blooming flowers for Northeast PA May 12, 2007 We have a weekend house in Northeast PA...Poconos. Pretty rocky terrain....when can we plant wildflowers? Is it too late to plant in late May? If so, when is best? What variety do you recommend fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock July 27, 2006 Today I dug up a new natchez variety crape myrtle that had only been planted about 3 months ago. It is fairly young. It was very difficult to dig up as it's root were pretty settled in the spot it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Patience for slow-growing Baptisia July 07, 2004 I have three different varieties of well established Baptisia that I have had for several years ... none of them bloom. One of my plants got a very small flower in April, but just pooped out after th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best preparation time for wildflower garden for summer January 21, 2003 Is it too late in late Fall to prepare a wildflower garden for next spring/summer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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