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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| Picture of Castilleja purpurea February 08, 2015 Can you tell me what the seedling for Castilleja purpurea looks like? Or do you have a picture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant ID–maybe a lupine? February 02, 2015 We have a strange plant growing in our flowerbed that we did not knowingly plant. It sprang up last summer and has continued to grow throughout the winter in spite of several freezes. We live just eas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of seedlings December 20, 2014 So..last spring I spread out a bag of random Texas wildflower seed I bought at Home Depot. Bautiful things happened. Since that time I've collected seeds while out camping etc and just been chunking ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Brown-eyed susans and Black-eyed susans the same species? December 02, 2014 Are Brown eyed Susans the same as the Black-eyed Susan? I've read that they are both common names for the same plant, but the flower looks slightly different in different regions. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of blue sage-like plant blooming in September in Lubbock TX November 07, 2014 This has bothered me for years. It looks like a miniature version of Salvia azure. About a foot talk with multiple stems. Flowering in September. Grows on the hillsides overlooking Buddy Holly Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis November 04, 2014 I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID in Arkansas October 29, 2014 Harrison, Ark I borrowed pix, hope they can be seen. Fast growing, 5' popped up in area- it screams abutilon to me, but the flower doesnt. Waited til Sept to bloom. Nowhere for pic. Green/ yellow tub... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine with red berries in Weatherford, Texas October 17, 2014 I have found a vine with red berries that I would appreciate an ID for. How can I send you a photo or two of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Houseplant identification October 15, 2014 Had a houseplant with leaves that were green on the top and purplish on the bottom. The leaves were velvety to the touch. Would like to know what it was. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where do snake herb and skeleton-leaf goldeneye get their names? October 05, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where does snake herb, and skeleton leaf goldeneye get their names from? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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