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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| Beautyberry Dying Back August 06, 2015 I've got an American Beautyberry which I planted in the spring. It's now about 2-3 feet tall and has 3 trunks (or limbs). It's in an area which gets about 5 hours of direct sun per day and I've be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| American beautyberry losing leaves in San Antonio August 03, 2015 I planted 3 American beautyberry last fall, and 2 of them are doing great. All the leaves on the 3rd one suddenly started dropping about 2 weeks ago and it looks dead. I can't find anything to tell... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hydrangea with Pest and Sun Issues July 26, 2015 My hydrangea is in trouble. Something is eating holes in the leaves which then turn brown on the edges (the holes and the tips of the leaves are also burned). It looks like someone burned them with ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Stopping erosion on bank of a Florida retention pond July 21, 2015 I live on a retention pond, which has had all vegetation killed by the lake doctor. As a result the bank has eroded so there is a drop off directly to the water rather than a sloping bank. What plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Ohio Shubs for Wildlife July 20, 2015 Hi, I'm looking to plant shrubs and bushes for in front of our home this week but would like to plant some that are good for wildlife including bees and birds. Do you have any suggestions for norther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Crape Myrtle Native? July 20, 2015 Hello, I live in Frisco, TX. Can you tell me is there any Crape Myrtle which is native to Frisco, TX. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hillside Erosion in Pace FL July 17, 2015 I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential ra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Barrier Shrubs for North Carolina July 11, 2015 Need a spiny barrier shrub that will grow in North Carolina shady rain forest (4,000 feet elevation) to deter trespassers wading down a creek from climbing on a private nature path that we constructed... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Draought-tolerant screening shrub for Shasta County, California July 08, 2015 It has been suggested to me that I plant phodocarpus 'maki' along my fence for needed privacy due to it's dimensions. I need something that does not grow too wide. I would not be pruning them as I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Magnolia in West Virginia ? July 07, 2015 Hello, is the Dwarf sweet magnolia a native shrub to WV? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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