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 | ||
Native grass mix for Bastrop County, TX February 25, 2014 I plan to put in a small lawn on a tract of land near Rosanky, TX in Bastrop County. There are scattered oaks but the yard space will be mostly open. Soil is basically sandy. Is there a good native... 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 | ||
Latest time to mow bluebonnets from Chappell Hill TX February 13, 2014 The past few years, my bluebonnets have been overwhelmed by tall grass. I could have solved this by mowing later, but I was always afraid of mowing new bluebonnet plants. When is the latest time I can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Getting milkweed seeds into seed mixes from Milwaukee WI February 07, 2014 My husband and I are concerned about the Monarch butterfly migration and have started an effort to get milkweed planted along some bike trails here in Wisconsin. This made me think of Ladybird Johnso... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native turf grass for Denison TX January 27, 2014 I have researched many grasses for sandy soil in Denison,Tx that are easy mantainance. Habiturf has been recommended but is mostly Buffalo grass and is not recommended for sandy soil. What other opt... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native turf grass for acreage in Denison TX January 27, 2014 I have recently moved to Denison TX where we have 5+ acres of true crosstimbers land. I am looking for a native turf grass that will do well in sandy soil and with the water provided by nature. The m... 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 | ||
Corn gluten on Habiturf from Austin January 25, 2014 I live in Central Austin. This past Spring 2013) I replaced my San Augustine lawn with Habiturf. My question concerns corn gluten. It is usually applied in late Jan - mid Feb. Would using corn glu... 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 | ||
Revegetation of school site with meadow plants from Austin December 23, 2013 We are revegetating a hill country school site (typical calciferous soil stripped of vegetation & minimal topsoil) with a native seed mix equal to Native American Seed "Meadow Mix". We have an abund... 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 | ||
When to plant wildflowers in California December 10, 2013 When is the best time to plant wildflowers in California? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Abundance of acorns from Wimberley TX November 22, 2013 We have lived in Wimberley since 1999 and this is the first time we have had such a huge abundance of acorns on our Oak trees, which is surprising considering the drought we have been in the last few ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Allowing Habiturf to seed out in Austin TX or Austin OR November 21, 2013 What does it mean to let habiturf "go to seed?" Do I need to wait for all the seeds to drop before that is true? Or, if I mow it when there are seed heads, will those seeds provide new plants in the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower seeds that do well in black clay soil from Plano TX November 21, 2013 What native wildflower seeds do best in black clay soil? We live in Plano along creek w/ 8,000 sq. ft. in full sun. No manmade water source. Suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will Habiturf be chicken feed from New Caney TX November 21, 2013 How well does your recommended native turf grass mix hold up against chickens or do double duty as feed? I have a mixed use property that will house Rabbits, Poultry (chickens/duck/geese), and ev... 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 | ||
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 | ||
Annual ryegrass and Habiturf from Austin October 31, 2013 We've decided to put Habiturf in our freshly cleared back yard that was overgrown with sticky burs and crabgrass, but now that it is fall, would you recommend putting in a cover crop of annual ryegra... 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 | ||
Controlling erosion with grasses in Dallas, TX October 19, 2013 After consulting with several geological engineers and the city of Dallas engineers - we know that our severe erosion problem can only be fixed by building a 35' foot high gabion wall about 150' in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting times and sun for native plants from Austin October 06, 2013 When to plant Phacelia congesta seeds? Can Maximilian sunflowers tolerate partial shade? 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 | ||
Grasses for a prairie in southeast Texas September 30, 2013 We have a small place (about 100 acres) in Colorado County, Texas, on the Colorado River north of the town of Weimar. We are gradually clearing (bulldozing) the woods of cedars. One particular spot ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant ID from Brick, New Jersey September 07, 2013 I live in Brick, New Jersey. I planted some wildflower seed from an assorted packet. There is a very tall, thick center stem with orange flowers. I'd like to send photo but don't know how. 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 | ||
Changing blooming patterns on sunflowers from Kimball NE September 05, 2013 The common sunflower seems to be very prolific some years, not so much others. Is this weather related or cyclical? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Timing for mowing wildflower meadow August 29, 2013 Last spring (2012) we planted a wildflower/shortgrass meadow on a caliche slope surrounding the back of our house. We terraced with rocks and spread some topsoil thinly before sowing the seed. It di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removing insects from seeds August 27, 2013 I collect and plant native seed for Blackland Prairie restoration. Have recently collected a good bit of purple prairie clover. Now small beetles are hatching out of it in pretty good numbers. What ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower garden for Driftwood, TX August 20, 2013 I would like to plant wildflowers in a fairly large field on a slope. The slope is a little rocky and is located in Driftwood, TX. I have been thinking about a mixture of Bluebonnets and Indian Blank... 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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
Flowers to bloom in next 4 months from Aransas Pass, TX July 24, 2013 Looking for seeds to put down that will bloom over the next 4 months or so in the southern gulf coast area 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 | ||
Red pods on Canna Lilies from Windsor VA July 21, 2013 What are the dark red pods on my canna lilies? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Recreating a wildflower meadow, central Texas July 02, 2013 We have an acre on our property that has bluebonnets. Unfortunately, it also has other plants that we don't want -Johnson grass, nettles, burrs. We plan to do a controlled burn in the fall and re-... 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 | ||
Why Did Gaillardia and Aquilegia Changed Color? June 26, 2013 Both a Gaillardia pulchella and two red columbines bloomed normally last summer, but this summer the Gaillardia's petals are all yellow and one columbine is white and the other is yellow. What caused... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeding the opposite bank of a canal in Texas June 26, 2013 We have a canal in our backyard. I thought it would be lovely to have flowers growing on the opposite bank. I could get to it to toss seeds, but not plant anything in the dirt because the ground slop... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Flowering plant for gravesite in Weatherford TX June 23, 2013 I want to plant flowering plant of some kind at parent's grave site in Weatherford, TX. The family cemetery is on a limestone hill with no irrigation or ability to water other than nature. Would on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Can poisonous seed of wild plum be safely removed after steaming from Seymour IA June 20, 2013 I read on a related questions that you said the pit/seeds of all wild plums are poisonous. My question is this, can I juice the entire fruit for making jelly without removing the pit first? I have a s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seeding success with Penstemon cobaea from Austin June 18, 2013 I've never had much luck in harvesting seeds from foxgloves (Penstemon cobaea, I think). Whenever I open the seed casing, the seeds inside are covered with some kind of mold. What's going on, and ho... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germinating Hibiscus martianus, Heartleaf hibiscus June 11, 2013 Is there some secret to getting Heart Leaf Hibiscus to germinate from seed? I have tried several times, but have had no luck getting them to germinate. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germinating Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora and Machaeranthera tanacetifolia Seed June 03, 2013 I am a graduate student at Texas Tech (UT Austin alumni), studying horticulture. I will be researching several wildflowers found in west Texas including Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora, and Macha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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