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 | ||
| Dead woody plants in wildlife garden in Austin March 02, 2011 I am an enthusiastic and pretty successful wildlife gardener, have studied my Wasowski "Bible", but I can't get any evergreens established in my yard! We live on blackland clay, which I amend with ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for bees in GA February 18, 2011 Hi, I'm in Georgia and I am starting beekeeping this spring and I am also hoping to plant a mostly evergreen hedge around my yard to add privacy from neighbors. There are already some well establis... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Monardas in section Cheilyctis not visited by hummingbirds. February 03, 2011 This is a correction. In your plant database, Monarda punctata is said to attract hummingbirds, but all peer reviewed research suggests it, and other members of Monarda in section Cheily... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife garden for PA October 12, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty plants, I am a student at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA. I am working on my senior thesis, and I hope to submit a successful proposal to plant a native species and wildlife garden ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Horse-friendly plants for Powell OH September 24, 2010 I am looking for horse friendly plants, i.e., shrubs, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted in wet area in Ohio. Thank you in advance for your assistance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Literature on native plants and wildlife from Baltimore September 04, 2010 Can you tell me a good review of the literature on the relation between native plants and ecology; for example, a study might indicate how native plants support more birds or other wildlife. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Want to create a native wildlife habitat for our home in Wasau, WI. August 18, 2010 I am trying to create a native wildlife habitat for our home. We live in Marathon County, Wisconsin (north central Wisconsin). We live near woods, meadow, wetlands. Could you send me a list of nativ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildlife plants for backyard on Galveston Island July 25, 2010 Can you help me select native plants for Galveston Island that can be used in a backyard to attract native wildlife? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Colony of bees nesting in sycamore July 06, 2010 I have a very large, old sycamore tree that has recently become home to a colony of honey bees. They have taken up dwelling in a hollow limb of the tree about 25 feet off the ground. While this is gre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants to attract migrating birds June 12, 2010 Can you suggest native plants that would attract migrating birds? I have a very sunny location, with very sandy soil. Thanks in advance for your answer. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Schedule for pollen and nectar for bees in Austin May 27, 2010 For beekeeping in western Travis County (Cuernavaca at Bee Caves) I need to know what nectar and pollen is flowing when. I have asked my local beekeeping club, but they are in Blackland Prairie and d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for bird garden in Virginia May 25, 2010 I am expanding on a bird attracting garden and would like to know what plants to plant. It is a shade to partial sun area, in an approx. 9' circle, both small shrubs and flowers would be nice. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Passion for passionflower May 16, 2010 We have passionflower vine on our trellis. We planted the vines about 3 weeks ago. they grew well and started to flower. Recently a number of the vines began to wither while others are ok. The plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for no sun in Austin May 12, 2010 I need recommendations for shrubs that can withstand no sun, something that possibly blooms but does not attract bees, wasps, or any stinging insects (hummingbirds or butterflies ok). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a mixed hedgerow for privacy and for the birds May 07, 2010 What are the best native plants for a mixed hedgerow in a small backyard? I want privacy (heights 5'-10') and bird friendly. Thank you for your information. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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