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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| Cedar sage not blooming in pots in Austin September 14, 2012 I have cedar sage (salvia roemeriana) in containers on a dappled-shade apartment patio in Austin, TX. This is their first season here, transplanted in May (it's now September). All the plants have be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dying branches on Texas Mountain Laurel from Kempner TX September 14, 2012 The branches on my Texas Mountain Laurel are very dry and brittle. The leaves are also starting to die. The tree has been in my yard for six years and prior to that it sat wrapped in burlap for ov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with new transplant non-native weeping willow from Washington DC September 10, 2012 I replanted a very young BABY weeping willow tree and now it looks as if the leaves are drying up like it is dying. I know that it could also be in shock from the new transplant or it can be dying ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Varieties of Ceanothus suitable for Illinois September 07, 2012 Ceanothus Velutinus is the smell of western Montana, my home, to me, and I have relocated to Illinois. I miss it so much that whenever I go home I bring back a jar of ceanothis leaves and keep th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting a blue spruce from Pingee Grove IL August 30, 2012 Transplant 18" Blue spruce from 5 gal. bucket to ground. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting a non-native rose from Akron OH August 30, 2012 Can I transplant a rose plant that I have in sunny area to an area that will be partially shady? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Texas Mountain Laurel to transplant to Dallas August 29, 2012 My daughter would like to incorporate a tree planting ceremony in her wedding in Texas. The seedling would be planted in a pot for a few years and later transplanted in a yard when they buy a home. Wo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting a redbud in Boerne TX August 29, 2012 Hi there, My question is when is it safe to transplant a native tree? I have a redbud tree come up in m flower bed I want to try to transplant it instead of cutting it out. It is very young - maybe 4-... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Silverado Sage in Pearland, TX. July 28, 2012 Hi, We have three Silverado Sage bushes we planted last year. They did great during the drought. However, this winter they had a severed leaf drop of mostly just the centers of them. These cente... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock in pecan tree in Garner NC July 19, 2012 I transplanted a pecan tree about 3 weeks ago & been watering it 3 times a day. The leaves are turning brown & crumbly before I water it. After I water it, the leaves are brown but I can scratch the t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suffering Yaupon in Austin July 14, 2012 I am in the Austin area and I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon in my back yard in March. It is in full sun. Lately the leaves have been turning pale green and now they fall off the tree upon touchi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Asclepias tuberosa June 18, 2012 Re: Asclepias tuberosa, "butterfly weed" bush -- I have a bed in a mix of Shoal Creek well-drained caliche, soil, and some enrichment of mulch that gets almost full sun and low water. After 4 yrs a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poverty plant overgrown in Austin June 06, 2012 We have a poverty plant that is too big for its space in our yard. We like it and want to keep it. Can it be transplanted easily? What about pruning it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A year and a half old live oak tree is doing poorly in Nevada, TX. May 08, 2012 We planted a live oak tree about a year and a half ago. the tree is still rather small. The leaves are of a vibrant green, however the leave have only grown through the center of the tree and not out... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting and germination of Pride of Barbados in Adkins, TX April 02, 2012 What is the root system like of the Pride of Barbados? I have a lot of new plants coming up in my beds from seeds. Can these be transplanted to a new location easily without damaging the plants? If... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock in desert willow in Austin November 09, 2011 We planted a desert willow 5 days ago. It came in a 15-gallon pot but the tree is quite large (~10 ft) with a wide spread. We watered thoroughly during planting but have not watered since (light rai... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting Blueberries in NY State November 03, 2011 I would like to ask you about transplanting blueberry bushes. When can I move them? 3 of them are at least 10 years old and haven't done well in their current location. I have built a fence to keep t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rescue of roadside plants in Ashe Co. October 27, 2011 I live in a wooded area off of a dirt road that is going to be widened and paved by the state. There are many native plants and shrubs growing on the side of the road in areas that will soon be pavem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| transplanting Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) October 25, 2011 Behind our house is a huge grotto with a spring flowing through it that runs into a creek. Because of the constant flow of water, there are many of the Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris). I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Baby mountain laurels are ready to move, in Lockhart Texas October 19, 2011 I want to harvest the baby mountain laurel plants which are growing under a large bush. What height would be best for the young plants survival? Please recommend a soil mixture for the pots. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Anacacho orchid tree in Llano, TX October 05, 2011 Re Bauhinia lunarioides: I'm trying to pick a good site in Llano Co for a 5 gal tree I received as a gift. Your plant database says part shade. The arid zone trees publication you reference in a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cenizos browning in Houston October 01, 2011 After this horrible drought, I am committed to xeriscaping with native Texas plants. The few hibiscus that survived have been transplanted into pots and are thriving. I bid the tiny boxwoods a fond fa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Has overwatering harmed cherry laurels in Austin? September 27, 2011 I am so upset. I know we've been having a terrible drought this year in Austin, and I've been trying to balance water conservation with protecting our recent very large investment for massive lands... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need shrubs to plant alongside a swimming pool in Tampa, FL. September 05, 2011 I Have a 3 1/2 foot gap between my pool screen and back fence. This gap runs about 30 ft. long. I would like to place small trees to look beautiful and to grow 6-8 ft. high to screen out my neighbor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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