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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| Wintering of non- native jasmine in Newton KS September 18, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I received a gorgeous jasmine for mothers day and I planted it in my front yard in the flower area close to the house. Can I keep it there all winter or do I need to dig it up a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When should I remove the stakes from Oak trees planted last november in Kyle, TX? August 18, 2010 I live in Kyle TX. I have new construction of oak trees that are about 10 feet tall and are staked. How long should they stay staked? They were put in the ground about Thanksgiving 2009. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deadheading Mexican hat to produce more blooms in Austin July 05, 2010 I have several Mexican hat (rudbeckia) plants growing wild in my yard. Would deadheading now give them a second flush of bloom in fall? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflowers planted in Pittsfield, IL to bloom the first of October July 01, 2010 If I plant my wildflower seeds now in Illinois, is it possible they will bloom in three months (by the very beginning of October)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can Juncus effusus winter outside in Mountville PA? June 28, 2010 If we have the juncus effusus spiralis outside in a small pond and you say to let it outside in the winter does that mean we should let it in the pond? thanks for your time View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming back freeze damage from Anacacho orchid in Liberty Hill TX May 17, 2010 When is it safe to trim back what I think is dead wood on my Anacacho orchid trees (that were hit hard this past winter)? Is there any harm done if I cut back living wood? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting a redbud in Virginia Beach VA April 21, 2010 I have a 5-6 ft. Redbud Tree and like to dig up and move to different spot in my backyard. How/what is the proper way to do it without killing the tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Late emergence of passiflora incarnata hybrid in Austin April 11, 2010 Two years ago I planted in my clay soil garden a variation on native passiflora incarnata; the passiflora Elizabeth (a cross between passiflora incarnata and passiflora phoenicia)because I hoped it pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tidying up Copper Canyon Daisies in San Antonio March 30, 2010 We have a small bed with 4 copper canyon daisies. We cut them back in the fall but have not pruned them during growing season; as a result they become a big tangle by September. Should they be pruned ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming of Aster ericoides in Philadelphia March 20, 2010 Should I cut back my Aster ericoides, ‘schneegitter’ in the spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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