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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Different colors of Argemone spp. from McAllen TX March 16, 2014 I took pictures of at least 5 colors of pricklepoppy today. Is this common to have so many colors in one area? How do I harvest the seedpods and when is the best time to do so? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Ashe Juniper seeds from Blanco Co., TX March 10, 2014 I'm trying to find Ashe Juniper seeds to plant in bare areas of my property in central Texas. I understand they grow well in rockier soil and have many other benefits for native animal species. Unfo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will hand pollination of red plum tree result in fruits? February 24, 2014 Red Plum is blooming but no bees to pollinate & no associate plum trees near by. Can flowers be pollinated by hand with q-tip? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Starting wild plant seeds indoors from Dallas TX February 23, 2014 Is it possible to start some Phlox drummondii or other native wild flower from seed indoors, and then transplant to my garden? If so, can you suggest some? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What do wildflower seeds look like from Westlake Village CA February 23, 2014 I collect seeds from my wild flower garden but can't always tell what part of the dried flower is the actual seed that will reproduce. Is there a resource that shows the seed part of flowers? Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Best place for picking wildflowers in Austin February 14, 2014 Where is the best place to find wildflowers for picking near or in Austin around the end of March? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Simsia calva from Albuquerque NM January 27, 2014 Hi - I was given some simsia calva seed from the LBJ wildflower center. It doesn't have a lot of info about starting the seeds, so any help is much appreciated! I tried starting some outdoors last ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sunlight needs for native wildflower seedlings from Double Oaks TX January 27, 2014 Last December I created a flower bed for my parents' backyard and sowed native wildflower seeds (obtained from Native American Seed). The bed is in full sun most of the day, and the seeds are alread... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of blackberry from Williamsport PA January 18, 2014 I have been told that if you cut a branch off of a black berry bush and stick it in water for a few days, and then put it in the ground it will grow into another bush. Please tell me if this is true a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of endangered plant Texas trailing phlox from Carrollton TX December 26, 2013 1. How many seeds does the Texas trailing phlox produce per season? 2. Can the seeds be taken from a living plant without hurting it? Thank You! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for Daisy Girl Scout native plants project December 13, 2013 Hello, I am a daisy Girl Scout leader and we are working on one of our Journeys and Native Plants Patch Program which requires our group of 5-6 year old girls to plant and care for a mini-garden. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Both large and small Century plants putting up stems from Cayucos CA November 18, 2013 I have a Century Plant that is sending up a stem. I am excited to see it bloom. I noticed that one of the small pups, about 4 inches tall, is also sending up a stem. I have not found a mention of pups... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Variety of colors in bluebonnet seeds from Houston November 18, 2013 Bluebonnet seeds I have collected are a variety of colors, from the sandy/tan color to a grayish color and black color. Are all variations viable? Are they equally viable? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting bluebonnets in late Fall from Georgetown TX November 08, 2013 Transplanting bluebonnets in October? Neighbor wants to share abundance of rosettes and good size plants- any suggestions or warnings? Will freeze/frost protection be needed if we get December freeze... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Which seeds need to be scarified from Marble Falls TX November 08, 2013 Can I find out which seeds need to be scarified? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagating Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) November 08, 2013 I am a gardener for the city of San Francisco. I am just curious about the best way to prepare an acorn from Quercus agrifolia for planting. I have heard many ideas about using sandpaper and microwavi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for church gardens in Ft. Worth TX November 07, 2013 Second attempt. Our church has many gardens in Fort Worth, TX. There are gardens for blue,red,yellow,white,purple,orange,pink,mixed,community garden,roses, and more. I am interested in the la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Transplanting Indian Paintbrush in Corona CA November 05, 2013 I have a very mature Indian Paintbrush Plant that was becoming too large for the area I had originally planted it in, so I transplanted it to an area much more suited for its size. I reviewed the que... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Coursetia axillaris from cuttings from Elmendorf TX October 31, 2013 I have been able to propagate the Coursetia axillaris (Texas Babybonnets) from cuttings. Will the plants grown from cuttings bloom faster? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter care of Asclepias tuberosa from Austin October 31, 2013 We have several asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed). Monarch caterpillars have found and denuded them. We are excited about all of the Monarch caterpillars, but unsure of what to do next. What do we... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germination of Purple Clematis from Junction TX October 31, 2013 I have some Purple Leather Vine seeds I want to share and want help learning to germinate. Can anyone there help me find interested recipients? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagating Pavonia seeds October 10, 2013 Could you please recommend a method for scarifying Pavonia seeds? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growth of yucca from seed pods from Saginaw MI October 05, 2013 How do you grow a yucca plant from the pods? Do I need to dry out the pods first? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin October 01, 2013 I have learned so much from this site! Thank you! I am getting Married this March and I am hoping to use Texas wildflowers for the centerpieces. I hope to grow them in containers indoors and have the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Sprouts from stems of plants from Happy Yard IN September 28, 2013 Is it normal for a plant to start a sprout from its own root system next to the stock/stem? Is it trying to regrow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removal of non-native zoysia grass from Burgettstown PA September 12, 2013 What is the most effective method of killing zoysia grass? We bought a house that sits in the center of four acres of mature zoysia. It looks beautiful, however, despite our best efforts at "weeding... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Do flowers on century plants grow century plants from Huachuca City AZ September 06, 2013 The flowers on century plants: can they "grow" century plants? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of poinsettias in water from Houston September 06, 2013 Pointsettias - we have a broken branch that is thriving in a jar of water with new leaves and additional small branches. When we plant the stem in dirt and even a muck, the growth starts to wither. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Starting Venus Flytrap From Seed September 05, 2013 I am a high school student doing a project on the Venus flytrap and would like you to help me by answering the following questions: What are the Venus flytrap predators and prey? How to raise a Venus ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Overwintering Newly Rooted Hydrangea September 05, 2013 I am in the process of rooting a hydrangea shoot in a pot, should I bring this inside to winter? I thought burying the whole clay pot to winter outside, is this feasible? I'm in zone 6b. What would b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of Limonium limbatum September 04, 2013 I have a Limonium limbatum but do not know how to propagate the plant. Can you help with this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What to do with 200 yucca seedlings in Sandusky, OH? August 31, 2013 I have over two hundred 3 month old yucca seedlings from my last yr. Yucca plants. I soaked the the seeds for 24 hrs. planted them in trays and now they are abt. 2 inch tall. My question is, should I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting wildflowers from Wichita Falls, TX August 24, 2013 Hi, Thanks so much for the answers you give! You've been very helpful to me in the past. I have two quick questions: 1) I have been harvesting seeds from my wildflowers. I wonder when the best time... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagation of cardinal flower with variegated leaves from Wakefield RI August 21, 2013 I purchased cardinal flower seeds from the Brandywine museum & have had great success for over a decade. Recently I spotted one cardinal flower with variegated leaves. Is this a plant worth propagatin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Has Texas Black Persimmon been crossed with non-native persimmons from Austin August 17, 2013 Hi. I just found a Texas Black Persimmon in my neighborhood. The fruit is olive green and then black, then it explodes into a black slurry of seeds and syrup. The color is so strong I find myself wond... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Texas Olive Tree from Tucson AZ August 10, 2013 Can one start a Texas Olive Tree from the olives it produces? How can you start one. I am having difficulty finding a nursery, but do see the trees around. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Killing a century plant from Burton TX August 08, 2013 How do you kill the century plant, they are taking over? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cold stratification of Rudbeckcia maxima from Birdeye AR August 08, 2013 How long do I cold stratify Rudbeckia maxima seeds that I wild harvested? Can I put them in the freezer instead of fridge? Do I need to make sure they are completely dry before cold strat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Gregg's Mistflower stressed in Fredericksburg TX August 07, 2013 My Gregg's Mist Flower plants are very stressed. The blooms have turned brown and the leaves are drooping. Plants are receiving moderate sun, partial shade. Do they need daily watering this time o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Invasive native blackeyed susans from Warren OH August 07, 2013 In our demo garden we master gardeners in NE Ohio have been unable to get rid of black-eyed susans which have, like the other person, prevented or "killed" the other perennial plants. They are spre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mistake in propagation of Mustang grapes from Victoria TX July 27, 2013 I didn't read first! I planted dried mustang grape seeds in good potting soil, watered and put on tall clear plastic bags to retain moisture, will they ever come up? Should I get the seed out and r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Weak flowering on rosa minutifolia from San Diego CA July 27, 2013 Hi, I have a Rosa minutifolia and has been doing great, but when it gives flowers the petals fall too fast, only last a day or two and also the fruit never forms completely and finishes drying so I ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Controlling agave pups from Galveston, TX July 26, 2013 I live in Galveston, Tx.I have several large 5ft tall century plants in my yard and the pups are coming up everywhere..how do I control these??? HELP!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Revegetation with Rosa Woodsii in Heber UT July 26, 2013 I am using Woods Roses for a revegetation project (to stop trail short cutting) in a public picnic area. Growing them from seed was too slow so I am experimenting with transplanting and it is working ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Propagating Silky Sophora by seed from Elmendorf TX July 24, 2013 I have some seed for the Sophora nutalliana. What is the best way to germinate this seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting Candelilla from Austin July 12, 2013 Good Morning and thank you for answering my question!! I am interested in planting a Candelilla plant (it looks like small bamboo plants growing only a 2-3 feet tall. I heard it is supposed to be ver... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grafting Pecan Trees July 05, 2013 I have planted two pecan nuts and now they are about 4 feet tall trees, they have not been grafted but can I graft one of the trees to the other and vice versa and expect pecans from then, they are he... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing non-native Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Central Texas July 01, 2013 Hi. I recently moved into a remodeled home in Taylor, TX, and have experimented with Cabernet Savignon vines before. I have a 1/2 acre and a chain-link fence I want to put vines on. (I have a book o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Illinois native grasses for shade June 27, 2013 Hello, my grass has died in a very shady area (standard buffalo grass), and I took this as an opportunity to plant some native grass varieties. I originally thought of buffalo grass, but learned that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Standing Cypress Plants in San Antonio, TX June 26, 2013 I purchased seeds for standing cypress 2 years ago and this spring they look beautiful. What is the best way to harvest the seeds? Also, will the current plants come back next spring or will I have to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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