Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 54 next >> 
1,341 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page


topicquestion
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

Rocky Stream Bank Plants for Dallas, TX
July 02, 2015
Need live stake shrubbery or tree ideas for a rocky stream bank prone to high water. Thank you
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Turk's Cap and Pavonia insect problems
June 27, 2015
My Turk's cap and Pavonia lasiopetala (rock rose) plants both have quite a few leaves that are skeletonized in appearance. I do not see any insects on the underside of the leaves. What could be cau...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Male and Female Rhus virens Differences?
June 27, 2015
I would like to plant a Rhus virens in my yard to attract birds. I want to make sure I get a female plant so there will be berries. How can I tell a male from a female plant?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Milky Substance on Salvia greggii
June 26, 2015
The Salvia greggii that I have in the front yard has a milky substance on it ... and the plants are not doing well. Is this some kind of fungi or disease? What can I do to "cure" it? Thank you! Lia...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL
June 25, 2015
Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Evergreen perennials for a pond bank in Texas
June 18, 2015
We want evergreen perennial plants for the banks of our small pond. The banks are eroding and we need to help keep them strong. We have ducks in the pond and lots of turtles. We would love something ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Poolside plants for East Texas
June 18, 2015
What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Cutting back a Rhododendron in Maryland
June 17, 2015
I have a planting of six shrubs across the front of my house (alternating azalea & rhododendron). All have died except for one huge rhody & a small azalea next to it. Can I cut the huge rhody back to ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Blue Mist Ageratum Shrub?
June 16, 2015
Is there a shrub version of Blue Mistflower Ageratum? I believe we saw some at the Butterfly Center in MacAllen. Would it survive in Georgetown, TX?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Shade Trees for Flagstaff AZ
June 14, 2015
I live in Flagstaff, AZ and in need of good shade trees all around the house. We live in the Doney Park area (east of Flagstaff) and it is very windy in the spring time. We need the trees for priva...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Butterfly Bush Alternatives in New Egypt NJ
June 14, 2015
I have a Non Native Butterfly Bush near my house. I heard that it could be invasive. What alternative plants could replace this bush as it is a butterfly magnet in late summer. Swallowtales and monarc...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Desert Willow size question from Austin, TX
June 12, 2015
Dear MSP, I have a desert willow named Edith. We got her from the CoA a couple of years ago for recycling our Chirstmas tree. She's doing well except her three little trunks are teeny-tiny. We wan...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

How to Overwinter Texas Sage in PA
June 12, 2015
I live in northeast PA. I just bought a Texas sage tree. How do I care for it in the winter?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Will cochineal insects washed from cactus plants harm adjacent Oleander?
June 11, 2015
Will mealybugs (cochineal insects) power washed off prickly pear cactus harm adjacent oleander plants if the white fluff gets on the oleander? My neighbor asked me to power wash my prickly pears and t...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are Desert Willow Leaves Fragrant?
June 11, 2015
I have a pink Desert Willow and have noticed that the leaves are fragrant; no flowers are yet present. I cannot find any sites that agree with this finding? Is this unusual?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Why doesn't Diervilla lonicera bloom in Wisconsin?
June 11, 2015
I have had a Diervilla lonicera in southeastern Wisconsin for at least 5 years. It has never bloomed. Why? It appears healthy.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Fence Shrub for Sugarland, TX
June 08, 2015
Hello I live in Sugar Land TX, I am looking for a fast growing shrub to plant along my six foot wood fence for a privacy screen. There is not a lot of room for them to grow in width but there is pl...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Advice for Texas Mountain Laurel in shady, narrow bed.
June 08, 2015
My house faces N/NE and gets a lot of shade. I would like to plant a Texas Mountain Laurel in my narrow front bed, but what is the best way to amend my clay soil since it prefers rocky soil? What woul...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Are Texas Sage plants being harmed by nearby Rosemary.
June 08, 2015
For 6+ years I've been growing Rosemary shrubs interspersed with Texas Sage. For the past two years the Texas Sage has been looking sickly and have not produced any flowers and the Rosemary is becom...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Foundation Plants for Leander, TX
June 05, 2015
Looking for suggestions for a narrow bed 2-3 ft. wide, 32 ft. long against my house. Full evening sun with morning shade. Considering Salvia greggii with some type of companion plants/grasses ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 54 next >> 
1,341 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page