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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
topic | question | |
Halophytic biofilter plants native to Wisconsin July 12, 2013 I am trying to design a biofilter using native WI plants. These plants must be very salt tolerant and low maintenance (as this biofilter will be used to treat storm water runoff from a salt shed), so ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Does Nolina lindheimeriana have separate male and female plants June 30, 2013 RE: NOLINA LINDHEIMERIANA You show several pictures, with flowers & with seed pods. I have one plant that has only flowers and one that has only seed pods. Are they male and female? I don't see ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Do the male or female dogwoods have berries? June 11, 2013 Does the male or female dogwood have berries? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problem With Vegetable Garden Soil June 09, 2013 We live in Liberty Hill on 25 acres and we are working to restore native grasses and plants. We are ardent supporters of the Wildflower center. I say this because my question is not "typical" of wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blooming but not berrying American bittersweet from Pendleton IN May 29, 2013 I have had a bittersweet plant for years, it blooms but not berries. How do I tell if it is male or female so I can buy the opposite? It is currently blooming. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Differences in prostrate Mimosa species May 27, 2013 There are apparently a lot of little pink puffy-flowered prostrate plants with thorny stems and sensitive leaves: Mimosa microphylla, Mimosa roemeriana, Mimosa strigillosa. How does one tell them apar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What are the native plants in Kerrville, Texas? May 22, 2013 What are the native plants in Kerrville, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fragrant Texas wildflowers April 10, 2013 Hello! I am researching native Texas wildflowers and I am looking specifically for flowers with a pleasing aroma. Is there anyone who has made a list that includes how the flowers smell? Do you kno... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native vs Non-native Insect Host Plants March 14, 2013 My understanding of a host plant is that it is a plant that an insect will lay its eggs on. Is this correct? If this is so then can a cultivar be a host plant for the same insect? I have read Mr. Doug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Experiment to detect presence of sugar in cellulose from Routt CO January 28, 2013 My teacher ask me to plan an experiment to detect the presence of sugar in cellulose. I know that cellulose are abundant at the stem, and sugar here is glucose. I wonder how to conduct this experiment... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |