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?
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 | |
Wild native trees with orange blooms March 30, 2012 What is the wild native tree that is blooming orange blooms - as you drive down the road thru Chappel Hill, and Brenham area. I've never seen these before when we went viewing bluebonnets - however,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Illegal to remove an orange blossom from ground in Florida from Atlantis FL March 28, 2012 Is there any law that prevents someone from removing an orange blossom from the ground in Florida? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When and where are the bluebonnets blooming from Canyon TX? March 18, 2012 Where can we get reports on when and where the bluebonnets are blooming? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bastard cabbage in Austin TX March 17, 2012 Not sure if this is the forum to address this; but is there any effort out there to do something about the bastard cabbage taking over Austin? Especially on MoPac where you can hardly see the bluebon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants in bloom in April in Stuart FL February 24, 2012 Can you tell me which plants I might reasonably expect to see in bloom in April of this year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Current forecast for wildflowers from Colorado Springs February 24, 2012 What is your current forecast for wildflowers this spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Healthy native plants supporting local economy from Tacoma Park MD February 17, 2012 I am collecting information on how healthy native plant communities can support the local economy. Do you think the Texas bluebonnets are a good example of this in Texas? For example, do you know ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are there drug cartels on the bluebonnet trails from Lake City FL February 08, 2012 We plan to fly to TX to see bluebonnets but do not know if the weather and forest fires have destroyed them. If not, can you estimate the peak bloom time? We are 75 and 81 and move around rather s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting bluebonnets on UT Campus in Austin January 07, 2012 Hello! I am with a student organization on the University of Texas campus. Walking around campus, I have noticed the lack of the state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet. Our organization is hoping ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Preparing for planting wildflower meadow in Austin January 02, 2012 We are in the midst of prepping beds for wildflower plantings in the spring. We spent the last month pulling up our existing lawn and invasive grasses so we are now wondering how to secure the beds f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas. December 04, 2011 I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Overwintering Texas bluebonnets November 17, 2011 I planted Texas Bluebonnet and I want to know how to save them through the winter months. I think they are so beautiful. Can I cover them with something? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Desmodium spp. (beggar's lice) in Leander TX November 11, 2011 Our home backs up to a greenbelt on Blockhouse Creek in Williamson County, Texas (FM 1431 and Parmer Lane). The combination of the flood and drought has left our beautiful greenbelt with an abundance... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing bluebonnets in pot in Flower Mound TX November 01, 2011 We received a package of bluebonnet seeds along with the DVD Wildflowers: Seeds of History as a gift. In the film, Andrea DeLong mentions that bluebonnets did not grow well in a rich organic soil. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to reseed wildflowers in a drought year? October 18, 2011 My acreage with extensive wildflowers was mowed in 2010 before annuals had seeded. Only a few returned this year. Considering the predicted lonterm drought should I postpone reseeding this fall? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Survival of bluebonnets in extreme heat from Tioga TX September 03, 2011 Is there anything I can do for my bluebonnet patch in this extreme drought for the rest of the summer and fall? Should I have watered this summer? I had a good show and think seeding was fairly normal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
A&M maroon bluebonnets for Hawaii July 10, 2011 My daughter graduated from Texas A&M and has moved to Hawaii. She would love to have the maroon bluebonnets developed by A&M to plant in her new home. How would she need to prepare the seeds since t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Re-blooming bluebonnets in May in Kyle TX May 30, 2011 My bluebonnets in flower bed bloomed beautifully this spring. Now it is late May and they bloomed again. Why is this? I never saw these flowers bloom twice in a season. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Growing bluebonnets from seed in Maitland FL May 17, 2011 Can I grow bluebonnets from seed in Maitland? The soil is quite sandy, and I do have sunny, dry places to grow them. Are there any special requirements necessary away from their native habitat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bluebonnets and paintbrush for Fredericksburg VA April 10, 2011 Can I broadcast Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush seeds, in Virginia, during early Spring and get germination; or, do I need to winterize and plant next spring. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflower succession from Austin April 02, 2011 I am interested in learning about a wildflower "cycle" (not sure of a better term). I recently saw the Wildflower special on PBS that talked briefly about an area that had wildflowers that naturally... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Are bluebonnets toxic to horses from Pearland TX March 10, 2011 Are bluebonnets toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How to grow bluebonnets in Atlanta TX March 04, 2011 How can I grow bluebonnets in Atlanta Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will recent freezes delay wildflowers from Dripping Springs TX February 15, 2011 What effect will the recent freezing temperatures have on the Texas Hill Country Wildflowers? Will it delay blooming? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possibility of transporting native seeds to Europe February 03, 2011 Hi, Is it possible to bring seeds for North American plants and wildflowers from the USA to Europe? I live in Italy and have many Italian friends who want me to bring seeds from America the next time ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |