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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| Need help for diseased Cherry Laurel tree in Houston October 19, 2015 A couple of weeks ago the leaves on my decade old cherry laurel began to turn brown. Now they are entirely brown. I have not changed the way in which I cared for it, but about three days ago I noticed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen for sunny, dry area under a maple in Connecticut October 10, 2015 I have a sloped, very sunny, dry area under a maple. I was wondering if Sweet Fern would be a likely candidate for this area. I would like it to be evergreen and to be able to survive under mounds of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Restoring riverfront from Blanco Flood October 04, 2015 We have cleared our riverfront from the Blanco Flood and I am now looking for help in replanting native trees/grass on our property. Our home was in the Flood of Hayes county Memorial Weekend. I am ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to prune a Lantana tree October 02, 2015 I have a potted Lantana tree that will come indoors for the winter. It is quite large and should I prune it back for the winter? If yes, how do I prune it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for Georgetown with shade in the AM and sun in the PM September 30, 2015 Hi, I live in Georgetown and I would like a recommendation for plants (shrubs and flowering perennials) that can handle deep shade until 1 or 2 pm and then have full sun blasting them til sun down. T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plant for border in central coastal Texas September 29, 2015 I am looking for a native plant suggestion for a border along my front porch in central coastal Texas. My site has heavy gumbo soil and strong sunlight. I want something not more than 2 or 3 feet t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| need recommendation for small evergreen shrub in Katy, TX September 14, 2015 recommendation regarding small to mediun evergreen palnt in full sun in 2feet by8 feet area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4' brick planter. pl September 14, 2015 Would a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4'x4' brick planter with a drain at the bottom? It will get full sun all day. If not, would a Green Cloud Sage or a Waxleaf Myrtle work? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic evergreen shrub around duck pen September 10, 2015 I live in Zone 6a, and am looking for a non-toxic evergreen shrub to use around our fence that pens in our ducks. It doesn't have to be native to our particular state. I have 74 feet of fence on th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Urushiol Oil Persistance? September 09, 2015 I'm trekking into poison ivy infested areas for work every other day. I make sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and long socks over my pants. I walk into my office to drop off supplies and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Connecticut Plants for a Steep Slope September 09, 2015 I am looking for the best plants to retain a steep, dry, fully shaded slope in zone 5, Connecticut. It must be deer resistant. Plant height is not a factor. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need help with Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum September 02, 2015 We have about five Dwarf Wheeler Pittosporum plants. All of them are mature and were doing well. I was on vacation for a week or so and when I came back I saw of each of them is plant 90% dead. The d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Webworm on Texas Mountain Laurel in Texas September 02, 2015 I thought my mountain laurel had web worms and I sprayed for them. Now the plant looks like it still has the worms even though none are present. Also, I sprayed with a fungicide because some of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for plants for bioswales in Philadelphia, PA August 24, 2015 Hello, Are there a handful of species you would recommend for inclusion in bioswales throughout the US? I realize plants need to be selected based on climate, but I'm wondering if there are two or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii August 12, 2015 I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowering plants for Frisco, Texas August 12, 2015 Hi There, I recently moved from Ohio, Cleveland to TX, Frisco. Could you please suggest me native flowering plants in my back yard and front yard. I like different flowers. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion controlling plants for a shady Minnesota lakeside August 11, 2015 I live about 50 yards from a lake and there is a steep embankment. Recently someone decided to cut the trees off the embankment and now the dirt is eroding off the embankment as well as off my back ya... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen privacy screen August 10, 2015 We are looking for a good plant(s) that would provide a privacy screen by our fence. We were looking at clumping bamboo (maybe black) because it grows quickly and it not too thick. The new plants woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Flame Acanthus in Texas August 06, 2015 I recently purchased three flame acanthus in 1 qt. pots. I had planned to hold these in a shaded spot for planting once it cools off, but the plants are 2 1/2 to 3 ft. tall. Should I cut them back, pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lace Bugs on Lantana August 06, 2015 All my lantana bushes are suffering from severe lace bug infestation. The lace bugs have been seen via microscope as well exoskeletons and poop. The buds are destroyed and I have no flowers for hummin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Beautyberry Dying Back August 06, 2015 I've got an American Beautyberry which I planted in the spring. It's now about 2-3 feet tall and has 3 trunks (or limbs). It's in an area which gets about 5 hours of direct sun per day and I've be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| American beautyberry losing leaves in San Antonio August 03, 2015 I planted 3 American beautyberry last fall, and 2 of them are doing great. All the leaves on the 3rd one suddenly started dropping about 2 weeks ago and it looks dead. I can't find anything to tell... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hydrangea with Pest and Sun Issues July 26, 2015 My hydrangea is in trouble. Something is eating holes in the leaves which then turn brown on the edges (the holes and the tips of the leaves are also burned). It looks like someone burned them with ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Stopping erosion on bank of a Florida retention pond July 21, 2015 I live on a retention pond, which has had all vegetation killed by the lake doctor. As a result the bank has eroded so there is a drop off directly to the water rather than a sloping bank. What plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Ohio Shubs for Wildlife July 20, 2015 Hi, I'm looking to plant shrubs and bushes for in front of our home this week but would like to plant some that are good for wildlife including bees and birds. Do you have any suggestions for norther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Crape Myrtle Native? July 20, 2015 Hello, I live in Frisco, TX. Can you tell me is there any Crape Myrtle which is native to Frisco, TX. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hillside Erosion in Pace FL July 17, 2015 I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential ra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Barrier Shrubs for North Carolina July 11, 2015 Need a spiny barrier shrub that will grow in North Carolina shady rain forest (4,000 feet elevation) to deter trespassers wading down a creek from climbing on a private nature path that we constructed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Draought-tolerant screening shrub for Shasta County, California July 08, 2015 It has been suggested to me that I plant phodocarpus 'maki' along my fence for needed privacy due to it's dimensions. I need something that does not grow too wide. I would not be pruning them as I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Magnolia in West Virginia ? July 07, 2015 Hello, is the Dwarf sweet magnolia a native shrub to WV? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rocky Stream Bank Plants for Dallas, TX July 02, 2015 Need live stake shrubbery or tree ideas for a rocky stream bank prone to high water. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Turk's Cap and Pavonia insect problems June 27, 2015 My Turk's cap and Pavonia lasiopetala (rock rose) plants both have quite a few leaves that are skeletonized in appearance. I do not see any insects on the underside of the leaves. What could be cau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Male and Female Rhus virens Differences? June 27, 2015 I would like to plant a Rhus virens in my yard to attract birds. I want to make sure I get a female plant so there will be berries. How can I tell a male from a female plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Milky Substance on Salvia greggii June 26, 2015 The Salvia greggii that I have in the front yard has a milky substance on it ... and the plants are not doing well. Is this some kind of fungi or disease? What can I do to "cure" it? Thank you! Lia... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL June 25, 2015 Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen perennials for a pond bank in Texas June 18, 2015 We want evergreen perennial plants for the banks of our small pond. The banks are eroding and we need to help keep them strong. We have ducks in the pond and lots of turtles. We would love something ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Poolside plants for East Texas June 18, 2015 What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cutting back a Rhododendron in Maryland June 17, 2015 I have a planting of six shrubs across the front of my house (alternating azalea & rhododendron). All have died except for one huge rhody & a small azalea next to it. Can I cut the huge rhody back to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blue Mist Ageratum Shrub? June 16, 2015 Is there a shrub version of Blue Mistflower Ageratum? I believe we saw some at the Butterfly Center in MacAllen. Would it survive in Georgetown, TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade Trees for Flagstaff AZ June 14, 2015 I live in Flagstaff, AZ and in need of good shade trees all around the house. We live in the Doney Park area (east of Flagstaff) and it is very windy in the spring time. We need the trees for priva... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butterfly Bush Alternatives in New Egypt NJ June 14, 2015 I have a Non Native Butterfly Bush near my house. I heard that it could be invasive. What alternative plants could replace this bush as it is a butterfly magnet in late summer. Swallowtales and monarc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Desert Willow size question from Austin, TX June 12, 2015 Dear MSP, I have a desert willow named Edith. We got her from the CoA a couple of years ago for recycling our Chirstmas tree. She's doing well except her three little trunks are teeny-tiny. We wan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to Overwinter Texas Sage in PA June 12, 2015 I live in northeast PA. I just bought a Texas sage tree. How do I care for it in the winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will cochineal insects washed from cactus plants harm adjacent Oleander? June 11, 2015 Will mealybugs (cochineal insects) power washed off prickly pear cactus harm adjacent oleander plants if the white fluff gets on the oleander? My neighbor asked me to power wash my prickly pears and t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Desert Willow Leaves Fragrant? June 11, 2015 I have a pink Desert Willow and have noticed that the leaves are fragrant; no flowers are yet present. I cannot find any sites that agree with this finding? Is this unusual? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why doesn't Diervilla lonicera bloom in Wisconsin? June 11, 2015 I have had a Diervilla lonicera in southeastern Wisconsin for at least 5 years. It has never bloomed. Why? It appears healthy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fence Shrub for Sugarland, TX June 08, 2015 Hello I live in Sugar Land TX, I am looking for a fast growing shrub to plant along my six foot wood fence for a privacy screen. There is not a lot of room for them to grow in width but there is pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Advice for Texas Mountain Laurel in shady, narrow bed. June 08, 2015 My house faces N/NE and gets a lot of shade. I would like to plant a Texas Mountain Laurel in my narrow front bed, but what is the best way to amend my clay soil since it prefers rocky soil? What woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Texas Sage plants being harmed by nearby Rosemary. June 08, 2015 For 6+ years I've been growing Rosemary shrubs interspersed with Texas Sage. For the past two years the Texas Sage has been looking sickly and have not produced any flowers and the Rosemary is becom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Foundation Plants for Leander, TX June 05, 2015 Looking for suggestions for a narrow bed 2-3 ft. wide, 32 ft. long against my house. Full evening sun with morning shade. Considering Salvia greggii with some type of companion plants/grasses ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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