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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| topic | question | |
| Plants for farm animals from East Greenwich RI May 03, 2014 What type of perennial flowers and shrubs are safe to plant around farm animals (dogs, horses, chickens, turkeys) in New England climate? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Plants Toxic to Dogs? April 22, 2014 Are society garlic, Salvia greggii, black escarpment cherries, and wine cup wildflowers toxic to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Mountain Laurel grown from seeds in Argentina April 09, 2014 Hello, I was transferred to Cordoba, Argentina 2 years ago from San Antonio, the climate hereis similar to S. TX, anyway I brought some mountain laurel seeds with me and they have been in 2 gallon pot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant mistakes from Cedar Park, TX April 09, 2014 At our "Wilts End" in Cedar Park, TX. and are looking for a tall shrub/tree that will hide a 6-ft tall concrete wall and muffle the noise from a busy street. The wall forms a very wide-angled V shap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butterfly Garden, non-poisonous to Dogs, in Taylor MI March 27, 2014 I have a small fenced yard with a patio that my dogs have free access to. I would like to create a butterfly garden and add other plants that are non toxic to my dachshunds. Any suggestions. I am f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Defense against poison ivy from The Woodlands TX March 24, 2014 Hi and thank you in advance for your help. My husband is allergic to Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac, or something in our yard. We need someone who is very knowledgeable to come and identify any poisonous pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| 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 |  | |
| Evergreen trees for California that are non-toxic for dogs February 19, 2014 Hi, we live in California, San Bernardino County and would like to know what evergreen trees are safe to plant in our backyard with 2 little dogs being around. I did quite some search online but ever... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is non-native mascagnia macroptera poisonous to animals from Hockley TX February 17, 2014 Is Mascagmia macroptra (Butterfly Vine) poisonous to animals (horses and dogs)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tough, Non-toxic Vine to Cover Fence in Washington February 16, 2014 I have about 150 feet of 6-foot high chain link fence that I would like to cover with a vine for privacy. I really want an evergreen or semi-evergreen plant that requires very little care. I also don... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are the berries of Gun bumelia poisonous to dogs from Willow Park TX February 13, 2014 We have been told we have a Bumelia Lanuginosa (Chittamwood) tree in our yard. My dog has been eating the berries. (She has had stomach issues for several months and only recently found out she has ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are magnolia trees toxic for dogs? February 05, 2014 Del Mar, California- are magnolia trees, (their bark, roots, pods) toxic to small dogs? My Westie terriers are exhibiting lack of appetite and diarrea this late winter. Tonight I saw on our local n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of shrub with red berries in Tennessee January 24, 2014 Hello, I've got a shrub in my backyard; it has leaves off in groups of 3 and it has multiple reddish berries in groups by the dozens. I'm not sure what plant it is. The shrub is stick-like and appr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| List of poisonous plants for Bexar County, Texas January 14, 2014 I need to know local poisonous plants in Bexar County San Antonio. Please respond soon I'm trying to get Tenderfoot tonight and am doing my board of review. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for fence, safe for horses in California December 12, 2013 I live in a fire prone part of Orange County, CA named Silverado and own horses. Am interested in fast growing vines to cover a fenced area which are horse safe. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs not toxic to cattle in NJ December 09, 2013 I am working to rejuvenate the hedgerows on a farm in New Jersey by removing invasive plants and planting native shrubs. How do I find out which native shrubs are toxic to cattle and should not be pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are bald cypress cones toxic to dogs? October 27, 2013 Are bald cypress tree seed pods poisonous? to dogs? We just got a rescue dog and we go out in the yard with her. But now that we are into fall and the pods are falling. She goes right to them. Are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants Toxic to Horses October 26, 2013 I want to put planters on the front of my horse barn, which is also in the front field, so the horses could eat what is in it if they want to. I am looking to put a miniature pine tree in the planter.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Remedy for sore finger scratched by an Agave plant October 18, 2013 I scratched my ring finger on a Agave plant this afternoon. It did bring blood to the surface and i washed it off. Where the scratch is, is very tender and it is swollen and tingles. Any suggestions f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flying insects eating leaves of non-native Brugmansia in Aline CA October 17, 2013 I have an Angel Trumpet tree. We live in Aline, California 30 miles east of San Diego. Little yellow and black flying bugs eat the leaves. Do you have a remedy for this problem. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Juniperus Toxic to Pets? October 15, 2013 Are blue rug juniper plants toxic to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant-related skin rashes from Round Rock TX September 23, 2013 I have been plagued with persistent skin rashes this summer, and it is happening with plants that have never bothered me before, for example, red yucca. The dermatologist says it is a plant reaction,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are seeds of trumpet vine poisonous from Creston BC September 12, 2013 Are the seeds in the trumpet vines pods poisonous to humans or can I use them as dried beans? I have one plant that covers most of my house's south wall. It is a very established plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant with thorns in Maryland August 27, 2013 I live in Maryland and was walking in the woods one day when I accidentally stumbled in to a thorn bush. I don't remember what color the thorns where or very much about the plant in general but I do ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does non-native Crown of Thorns cause cancer? August 24, 2013 Does the plant, Corona De Cristo (Crown of thorns) cause cancer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees not toxic to dogs in Kempner TX August 21, 2013 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, we are looking for shade trees to plant around our home in Kempner, Tx. I saw another family that asked a similar question but we have dogs and holly or oak trees are toxic (my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of shrub/small tree with small purple fruit July 31, 2013 Hi! I have a tree/bush that has come up on its own in the backyard. This year it set what looks like small purple plums. Is there any chance that they might be poisonous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub to scrren house from dust from gravel road July 28, 2013 HI: We live in the foothills of Dobbins, California (2 hours North of Sacramento, Ca). I live on a gravel dirt road with traffic that goes about 45 miles an hour. When they drive by our house it lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) known to cause skin irritation July 23, 2013 Is Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata L.) known to cause a rash? We are trying to identify the source of a rash-after-gardening, and have not seen any of the big three (poison ivy, poison oak, poison suma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Controlling Cnidoscolus texanus (Texas bullnettle) July 18, 2013 Hello,I need your help to control some nasty weeds in my yard/pasture. I am an old timer and do not have a picture to include—haven't figured out that part of the camera/phone yet. This weed is a pri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Member of Taxus genus native to southern Illinois from Granite City IL July 12, 2013 Is there a native Southern Illinois similar to Taxus baccata? I live in Granite City IL and am looking for a native plant/scrub that stays green year round about 2-3 feet tall to it helps insulate the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Sucissa pratensis (Devil's bit scabious) allelopathic? July 04, 2013 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center pointed me to you. Can you comment on Devil's Bit Scabious? A neighbor pointed out these volunteer plants in my yard and wants me to kill them. He called them Devi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can oleander poison the ground below it? June 29, 2013 Can oleander poison the ground below it? Would it kill/damage grass or other plants below it? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Poison Ivy in Semi-wetland Massachusetts June 27, 2013 You answered this question for Tennessee, but I would like an answer for a Massachusetts semi-wetlands area: What can I plant to discourage poison ivy, or at least make it very clear that it is poison... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Major poisonous plants in California June 26, 2013 Hi! So I'm working on an art project that requires a comprehensive list of poisonous plants within California. I'm looking specifically however, for plants which are fatally poisonous (upon inges... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is non-native Ixora poisonous to horses? June 26, 2013 My horse was eating an ixora bush at a park in south florida. Is the Ixora shrub poisonous to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for a soapberry in Pittsburgh PA June 22, 2013 Flower box Where can I buy a soapberry tree in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania? 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 |  | |
| Can animals eat bottlebrush buckeye without being poisoned? June 13, 2013 Can deer, bear and wild turkey and squirrels eat the nuts and leaves from the bottlebrush buckeye shrub without being posioned by it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ingestion of agave sap from Albuquerque NM June 11, 2013 My boyfriend was out in the Arizona desert without water for two days and sought moisture through what he thought was a yucca plant but instead we believe was agave. He sucked the moisture off the ins... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-floweriing vines not poisonous to dogs from Pittsburgh PA June 10, 2013 Are there any vines or crawlers (nothing that flowers) that are non poisonous to dogs? Everything I am finding is poisonous, I want to plant some vines up a chain link fence around a swimming pool. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Damaged leaves on bottlebrush buckeye from Glen Mills PA June 09, 2013 My recently planted bottlebrush buckeye plants' leaves are looking damaged but it doesn't look like insect or fungus damage. They look battered by wind but I don't understand why that would happen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vines non-poisonous to dogs from Madison WI June 09, 2013 Are there any vines or crawlers that are non poisonous to dogs? Everything I am finding is poisonous, I want to plant some vines up a fence on their kennel run. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Clethra alnifolia toxic to dogs? June 01, 2013 Is Clethra alnifolia toxic to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Climbing Vine for Illinois That is Non-Toxic to Dogs May 31, 2013 I am looking for a climbing vine hardy in Illinois (zone 5) that it non-toxic to dogs. Can you help? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Spreading Poison Oak to Clothes and Shoes May 31, 2013 I had a poison oak rash about 2 years ago and during that time I had to attend a wedding. At the wedding I wore a pair of dress shoes and a pair of cowboy boots. Can I wear these shoes again? Is there... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native pothos ivy from Houston May 30, 2013 My pothos devils ivy is about 5 years old and grows outside. A couple of years ago its leaves became spectacularly large, like 12" wide and its stalk about 1 - 2" wide. A couple of years ago i gui... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Beneficial characteristics of Phytolacca americana (Pokeweed) May 21, 2013 I have a surprise Polk weed plant growing in my back yard, does it have any beneficial uses,and if not, how best to eradicate it. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native Star Jasmine poisonous to dogs from Dallas May 20, 2013 Is star jasmine poisonous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife garden for Austin May 19, 2013 I am trying to make my backyard more wildlife friendly. I have pecan trees for the canopy and some understory shrub/trees like rough leaf dogwood and redbud. I am having a really hard time finding sui... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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