Native Plants
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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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| Thorny shrub for deterring break-ins in southeast Texas February 05, 2013 Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Rosa Rugosa rose but it is not native. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dyes from native North American plants November 29, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been working as a textile designer for many years and am now interested in harvesting native North American plants in order to create natural dyes. Which plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcovers for hillside in Northern California November 19, 2012 I have read numerous posts on here, but I have not found my exact situation. I live in Northern California. I am looking for some type of ground cover to grow on a hillside. Directly above the hillsid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Privacy Screen for Maryland November 19, 2012 I am looking for an evergreen that will suffice to be planted as a privacy screen between my property and my neighbors. Looking to plant a row at the property line. The lot is shaded most of the d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Availability of Michigan Holly berries in Northern Michigan November 17, 2012 I live in Northern Michigan, and am new in the wreath making business. Last year I found Michigan Holly berries and used them for my wreaths. They have the most beautiful berries I have ever seen, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smog-eating plants from Ft. Worth TX September 30, 2012 Looking for a list (40 >) of Native Texas Plants for Fort Worth Urban (Condo) that are Drought tolerant or (drip irr) and Fragrant and long blooming and eat up the city smog. Fort Worth is in a non-at... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Removing existing shrubs from Grapevine TX September 24, 2012 We just bought a house and we have some shrubs and hedges we want to remove. What is the best way to remove them so that they don't grow back? We have some holly hedges, a very large cedar or juniper... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving plants for extreme drought from Greencastle IN August 23, 2012 In exceptional drought here in Indiana, I am looking at weeds that may become my next perennials! How do I move what my dad called ragged robins from the edges of roads. They are blue and could be wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-tolerant trees for planters in San Diego August 09, 2012 We need some ideas for a drought tolerant tree that will provide shade (4 foot raised planters in sunny location) not get too big when mature, and not too messy. San Diego View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees & Shrubs for a NY Slope July 03, 2012 Our community has a large steep slope (100'high by at least 600' wide) that is sunny & dry. The builders planted "wild flower seeds" on the slope that is now just weeds. We would like to know what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Privacy Hedge for Long Island June 29, 2012 I live on Long Island and want a privacy evergreen hedge partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Screen for Reading MA June 27, 2012 Best tree to grow for a privacy screen - Hello, we recently moved into a new house in Reading and have an open area on the side of our house where we can make a privacy screen from our neighbors. Wha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant ID of unknown purchased plant from Boise ID June 24, 2012 Hi! I bought a tree that the sales person didnt know what it was. I thought it was a cherry tree and now after about 3-4 yrs I know it is but..How do I know if it is an ornamental tree or real fruit t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Holly-like groundcover under live oak tree. June 21, 2012 I have looked and looked and cannot identify a wonderful groundcover holly growing in the shade beneath my 100 year old Live Oak here in Austin. I have looked up every possible Ilex variety and am stu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Small to medium drought-tolerant trees for Southern California June 01, 2012 I am looking for drought tolerant trees to line one side of our 70 foot driveway. We live in Southern California. Currently, we have queen palms, but I would like something more native or drought to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Poolside tree for Whitehouse TX May 29, 2012 What would you recommend for native shade tree or flowering tree on the north side of a swimming pool in East Texas/Smith County? Trying to avoid too much dropping of flowers, nuts, etc. Looking to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement Yaupon holly doing poorly in Pflugerville, TX May 09, 2012 I had to replace quite a few shrubs after the drought last year. I live in Austin, TX. I have planted 3 dwarf yaupon holly bushes in the exact same place where the previous three same type of shrubs... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small trees for property edge in Katy TX April 16, 2012 By deed restriction, I must have five trees on the side of my small suburban lot just west of Houston, TX. Due to the lot layout, the trunks are only about 8-10 feet from the house, with the trees abo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native photinias in Monroe NY April 11, 2012 Two Questions: Is the weather too cold to plant red tip photinias in Monroe NY? What is a good alternative evergreen shrub to hide chain link fence? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with yaupon from San Angelo TX April 08, 2012 We have a 3-yr-old yaupon holly entering its 3rd summer. We have put store-bought wood-chips under the tree several times since it was planted. A plant has grown under the tree, possibly out of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Chlorosis in yaupon from San Angelo TX April 08, 2012 Thank you for your information on the yaupon holly. We just finished clearing out the mulch and the red ground cover that popped up. I will quit watering it as much as the rest of the plants. Our y... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant for privacy hedge in Oklahoma that is not poisonous to dogs April 01, 2012 Hello! I am looking to put a privacy hedge fence in my yard. I love the look of American Holly, however, I have a dog who eats everything so I worry that this will not be a wise choice with the b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowers for days on end in California March 30, 2012 What are some plants or flowers that I can grow "all-year" in California? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| low-growing evergreen shrubs for thin soil March 05, 2012 Thanks to the winter freeze, we'll be starting fresh with the plants in the bed along the front of our house. The bed is about 13' long and faces the west, so it gets afternoon/ evening sun but no ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen hedge for NY February 26, 2012 I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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