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?

Share

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 ... 9 next >> 
220 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page


topicquestion
Evergreen, deer resistant privacy screen for Villanova PA
March 29, 2013
Looking for something that is deer resistant and ideally evergreen to block a shed and fence that my neighbor recently installed. Live in Eastern PA. Not the best drainage and also shade for most of...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Agarita suggestion for Houston area
March 05, 2013
Another possible plant for the following question is agarita. The question: "Looking for a very, very, thorny three or four foot tall shrub for in front of windows to deter break-ins. Considering Ro...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Desert Willow tree for Plano, TX
March 03, 2013
I live near Dallas, Texas. I have a small Desert Willow tree that I would like to plant. What is the root system of this tree like? Would I be able to plant it near our patio? How far from the house'...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Vine for pergola in Belton TX
February 06, 2013
Hello, I would like to know what vine would be best to cover a rather large pergola. It will be in full sun in caliche soil. :( The area has access to a water hose and I would like to have something...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Landscaping in Avalon TX
January 23, 2013
I just bought my first and last home in Avalon Texas. I am looking forward to starting my garden. I am interested in all year around flowers. however I am in the country, when it rains, my yard becom...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Is California fan palm found on Edwards Plateau from Austin
January 18, 2013
Is the following Palm, Washingtonia filifera, found in the Texas Hill Country, specifically the Edwards Plateau or Balcones Canyonlands NWR.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Growing rabitteye blueberries in Phenix City AL
January 18, 2013
What type soil is needed to grow rabbiteye blueberries?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Restoring a prairie from Austin
January 11, 2013
Restoring a mixed grass Blackland Prairie? Prairie Plant Succession? We are trying to establish climax species when an area is in a pioneering phase. Does the soil chemistry or biota change during ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
January 03, 2013
I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Ground cover under Spruces from West Chester PA
December 06, 2012
Trying to get a native groundcover (or any grass/wildflower/fern) planting established under a small stand of spruces. Established stand (30+ years old), so lots of needles on ground. Just about tot...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Re-landscaping in Stephenville, TX.
November 17, 2012
I prefer native plants. We are re-landsacaping, so I need grass, ground cover, vines and flowers to plant in our back yard. We have many trees and the whole yard is shady. A small area might be con...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Lupines annual or perennial in Zone 4b from Austin
November 08, 2012
Are lupines treated as perennials or annuals in Zone 4b (Northeast) if they are planted in the ground? Will other native species of lupines grow in a region they are not native to? Any recommendations...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Chlorosis in Texas Wisteria from Blanco TX
November 05, 2012
Just noticed a Texas Wisteria I bought last month and it is already looking chlorotic. Mixed compost in w/the dirt it is planted in but I don't think that will be enough. Is Blanco soil too alkaline?...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Tolerance of rosa setigera of acidic soil from Cobden IL
October 20, 2012
How tolerant is Rosa setigera of acid soil? I would like to plant it in my (very large) garden but the loess soil has a pH of 4.5. Thank you.
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Native New Jersey plants to remove iron water from Lawrenceville NJ
October 20, 2012
Are there any native New Jersey plants that can remove iron water
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Destructive landscape crews in The Woodlands TX
October 20, 2012
Hi. We need help. We recently moved to a house where landscape crews have been blowing away the leaf litter from the front yard for many years. The underbrush was also cleared long ago. The result...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Revegetating a hillside in western Washington state
October 10, 2012
Removing several downed trees across my dock demolished the native plants growing on the hillside and the contractor pulled out their remains. The area faces east on an open freshwater bay. Close to...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Cedar sage not blooming in pots in Austin
September 14, 2012
I have cedar sage (salvia roemeriana) in containers on a dappled-shade apartment patio in Austin, TX. This is their first season here, transplanted in May (it's now September). All the plants have be...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX
August 31, 2012
I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Difficulty with Clay Soil from Palm Bay, FL
August 22, 2012
I had a very nice little native shady area behind my house for over 40 years, but now it has been cleared except for a 100 foot tall live oak in the center of this raised mound (50' x 80'). I've be...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Detoxifying soil from York England
August 15, 2012
How do you neutralize toxic soil, it may have been contaminated by Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea? Thankyou
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Potting soil mixture at Wildflower Center from Austin
August 14, 2012
What potting soil mixture does the Wildflower Center use in its greenhouses for the native plants grown for the Austin Native Plant sales? Is the pH adjusted to match the alkaline soils in this area? ...
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Wisconsin Ground Cover for Acid Soil
July 09, 2012
What type of native wisconsin ground cover plants do best on acidic bare areas under pine trees such as blue spruce?...and where is best source for these plants or seeds? Thanks so much for your help
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Plants for Shady Clay soil in Illinois
June 18, 2012
Could you recommoned native plants for clay soil and shade near Chicago?
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

Zinc tolerant plants for sunny area
June 08, 2012
I have a very high zinc soil in an all day sun area. Any suggestions as to what kind of flower can I grow successfully? Zone 8 Thank you
View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer

topicquestion

<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 9 next >> 
220 Results:   10 25 50  100 per page