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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| Looking for grasses for slope around retention pond in Florida August 02, 2011 I live in St. Petersburg, FL on a large retention pond. Most of my neighbors on the pond have seawalls. I do not nor do my neighbors to my left and right. I am interested in colorful grasses to put... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native Bird Feeding in Belton, TX July 04, 2011 We recently bought a bird feeder and a huge bucket of non-native bird seed (I'm not sure if the whole seed mix is non-native, but I believe most of the mix is). The birds go through the whole bird fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Post-bloom period care for Pink evening primrose June 28, 2011 Hello, I live in Denton, TX. I introduced pink evening primrose as a ground cover to a xeriscaped section of my property a few years ago. I have pretty much left it alone and let it do its thing an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Something eating milkweed leaves in Austin June 23, 2011 I have some milk weed plants, and have noticed in the last few weeks that something is eating the leaves on them. The flowers are fine and no other plant appears to be bothered. I thought perhaps it w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| wildflowers for bees and hummers in central Texas June 16, 2011 I'm building a native habitat for different hummingbirds and bees at the Inks Lake Fish Hatchery, and I was wondering what kind of native plants in Texas attract these creatures but are also low main... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacing Nandina with natives for a schoolyard in Washington DC May 11, 2011 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Our schoolyard now has some invasive plants in the landscaping that we would like to replace with native plants. We have four clumps of Nandina planted at each pillar along a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bird-friendly plants for South Texas April 05, 2011 Which are the best plants that provide food (perennials, shrubs, trees, and vines) to attract birds to my backyard garden? (I have water and cover and would like to make sure I have the 10 best plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bee-friendly perennials for Texas March 19, 2011 What plants native to east-central TX (College Station, 77840) will attract honeybees? I have a small "yard" behind my condo. I'd like to plant flowering perennials that will support local bee ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Want to Amend Soil Without Harming Earthworms in Dallas Area March 16, 2011 I have a totally odd question. I live in the Dallas area in the blackland soil. I am removing sod from part of my back yard and will replant with nectar and host plants for butterflies. The soil is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for field mice in habitat restoration in Dallas County, Texas March 14, 2011 For grassland and bottomland habitat restoration projects in North Central Texas (Dallas), what native plants would be beneficial as food sources for field mice. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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