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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| Yellowing of leaves in Texas Mountain Laurel from Austin June 25, 2012 I planted a Texas Mountain Laurel in my Austin, TX yard this January. The tree was good sized (about 5 feet tall) when I planted it. Recently the leaves of the tree have started to turn yellow alon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mexican Plum with wilted leaves in Austin, TX. June 06, 2012 I am new to Texas & have a yard with mature mexican plum trees. They are quite beautiful however as summer sets in I notice that the leaves appear "wilted". Is this normal or should I be providing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Cedar Elm in Kerrville TX April 28, 2012 We live in 10 miles outside Kerrville - have a Cedar Elm tree - planted 4 or 5 years ago, 15-20 foot high, is losing leaves in the top 1/4th. Rest of leaves look healthy and green. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Harvesting washer rinse cycle water from Austin April 24, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, My question is different. I am "harvesting" 8-9 gallons from the rinse cycle in my top loading washer. I was told not to use this water on vegetables, just shrubs and flowers... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Interaction of Habiturf and St. Augustine grasses from Willow City TX April 16, 2012 How does Habiturf and St. Augustine interact? Does one dominate the other? Can you plant them in close areas? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Decline ot Heartleaf rosemallow from Austin March 26, 2012 My tulipan del monte -a new small plant from the wildflower center--did great all winter and was forming a new flower bud, just died in a matter of a few days. It looks like it "dried up", no visib... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Watering a vegetable garden in San Marcos TX March 24, 2012 Can you give me a general idea how long to run my drip irrigation on my raised vegetable garden? Currently I use it twice daily for one hour. The soil feels slightly moist but not very damp. Should... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native 'Glacier Blues' from Charlton MA March 24, 2012 Do you have to prune or cut down Glacier Blues in the garden? My plants look brown and wilted. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Difference between soil moisture and water use from Austin February 20, 2012 In the native plant data base "growing conditions" can you explain the difference between water use and soil moisture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ilex vomitoria Sufering from Drought? January 19, 2012 My Ilex vomitoria has always thrived. It is about ten years old. This fall, a portion of the leaves on the ends of the branches have turned yellow on the edges with green veining in the center. Othe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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