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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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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Winter care for plants in Austin December 05, 2008 Hello, I'm just getting into the gardening thing, and have planted tons of plants this fall here in Austin. I'm a bit worried about them with winter right around the corner. My first question is r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter pruning for yucca in Michigan November 10, 2008 I live in SE Michigan and have an outdoor yucca plant that has grown quite large. My father tells me that I can literally cut it down to the ground in the fall and that it will grow back the followin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trimming native Yucca filamentosa for winter in Illinois October 18, 2008 I live in northern IL and I have approximately 5 yucca plants, Adams needle, my question is do I need to trim them down for winter for best growth the next year? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will a Norfolk pine survive winter in Houston May 29, 2008 If I transplant a Norfolk pine in the summer, or when is the best time, will it survive the winter growing in Houston Tx? Can you give me some suggestions for fast growing vines facing the front of my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Too late to begin planting in May in Austin? April 30, 2008 Is it too late to begin planting in May? I live in Austin Texas and have finally completed my plans for a native Texas landscaping (plants and grass) of my front yard. I'd like to get the landscapi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Planting bluebonnets April 20, 2008 How long do bluebonnet seeds take to mature, and when is the earliest in their development they can be harvested? When can they be scattered? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bluebonnets in memorial garden in cemetery April 11, 2008 When is the peak time to scatter bluebonnet seeds? I have a loved one that recently died, and she requested that her body be cremated. She would like her ashes to be mixed with bluebonnet seeds and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Germination of bluebonnet seeds in Hempstead, TX April 01, 2008 We scattered 20 lbs of bluebonnet seeds on our property near Hempstead. Only about 10 plants have come up even though on another part of the property we have thousands. It is well drained and in sun.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Bluebonnets planted in late spring bloom, will they bloom again? February 06, 2008 New to South Texas & we decided to plant bluebonnets around our house. The seeds were planted in late spring & we were delighted to watch them start their initial growth-cycle. They ultimately produc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Moving a red oak away from the house foundation January 24, 2008 About a 3 weeks ago I noticed a 5 ft. red oak growing in my flower bed. I hadn't noticed it growing up through my shrubs until the leaves turned bright red. The problem is that its coming up about tw... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Trimming native salvias in January January 17, 2008 I have heard you can trim Hot Lips, Raspberry and other salvias back severely in January, to about six inches from the ground. Is this correct? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Wildflowers for a wedding site November 11, 2007 My fiance and I would like to get married on his family's ranch, just north of Johnson City on the Pedernales river, in April of 2009. Currently, we are clearing the over-grown meadows of cactus and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Optimum planting time for perennials and trees November 02, 2007 Our group is running out of fall workdays. Is it OK to plant native perennials and small trees in Central Texas during the winter months? Or should we wait now until the spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Toxicity of horticultural oils July 20, 2007 Is T&S dormant oil spray a toxic product? Our church (Prairie Creek Baptist in Plano, Texas) is transitioning to organic/native landscape. This is the product used by the current lawn service. Also, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to prune Texas betony (Stachys coccinea) May 28, 2007 I bought Texas Betony plants several years ago at Wildflower Days. They are thriving, but a bit leggy. Somewhere I read that they should be cut back several times during the year. Now I can't find... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What is considered mid-winter in Austin, TX April 03, 2007 This question was submitted, but I am unsure of the dates the answer is indicating. When is mid-winter? Question: When should I cut back (and how far should I cut back) the following plants in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pruning for Spring January 21, 2007 When should I cut back (and how far should I cut back) the following plants in order to promote growth in the spring: Salvia gregii, Salvia leucantha, Ruellia (Mexican petunia), Plumbago, Sku... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Winter trimming and shaping of native perennials November 08, 2006 Granted, it's a bit early, but for planning purposes: What is the best care for shrub-like woody perennials, like Lantana, Copper Canyon Daisy, Salvia greggii, Chile Pequin, Eupatorium wrightii, Pav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native flowers and plants for landscaping in March in Austin February 18, 2004 What are the best flowers and plants to landscape with in the Austin area in March? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Survivability of plants after freeze December 08, 2003 I have many beautiful plants that froze. Some were Lantana, Hummingbird Bush, Candlestick Trees, Esperanza, Some flowers, and Marigolds. I love all of my plants and flowers and I want them to grow bac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Optimum mowing time for acreage with spring wildflowers November 17, 2003 I have several acres where wildflowers grow in the spring, & would like to know when and how often to mow this field for optimum blooms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
More on bluebonnets May 09, 2003 When can I harvest my Bluebonnets? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Best preparation time for wildflower garden for summer January 21, 2003 Is it too late in late Fall to prepare a wildflower garden for next spring/summer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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