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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| 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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