Native Plants
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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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| My Cedar Elms drop leaves all year long. Is that a problem? February 10, 2013 Lake LBJ Area. My Cedar Elms,(I have about 8) drop leaves all year long and then drop all in late fall/early winter. Does the year round drop indicate a problem? It is definitely a nuisance. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-resistant and grub-resistant grass for Smithville TX October 02, 2012 I want a drought resistant grass for a sunny area that is also resistant to grubs. I have lots of grubs but want a healthy soil of good microbes. Any ideas? Zoysia, Buffalo? I noticed that Tech Turf r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer resistant, drought- and shade-tolerant plant for Pennsylvania August 14, 2012 Hello, I need a deer/drought resistant, shade tolerant, rocky soil perennial. I would like it to have some winter appeal. I live outside of Philadelphia, PA. Thank you so much for your time... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree to replace Betula nigra (River birch) in Memphis August 13, 2012 HI Mr. Smarty Pants, I think I need to replace the river birch tree in my west-facing front yard in Memphis, TN. I have sun all day, but it gets really hot in the afternoon. The soil in my yar... 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 |  | |
| Groundcover for clay soil in Southern California August 08, 2012 I live in Southern California and have hard packed clay soil in my yard. Could you recommend ground cover that would be green, low to the ground, require little water and survive in clay? I can't a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-resistant ground cover for Massachusetts July 11, 2012 Mr Smarty Plants I am looking for drought resistant,low maintenance ground cover for a LEED certified project in Florence MA. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for Kentucky grass in Colorado July 02, 2012 What kind of grass to replace "Kentucky grass"? It uses too much water. Need drought tolerant grass for the Rifle, Colorado area ("zip code is 81650"). Water bill is way too high, pushing over $10... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| California plants poisonous to dogs from Sacramento July 01, 2012 Found dodonea viscosa purple. Is it poisonous to dogs? Also Gold Star Potentilla. Going drought tolerant and need small trees, shrubs and plants not poisonous to dogs for sun and partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blue Natives for San Antonio June 28, 2012 What are the best flowers or trees to buy since we are always in stage 2 and sometimes in stage 3 water conservation? I love flowers that are blue, preferably year around. THANK YOU View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-tolerant plants for deep shade in Florida June 23, 2012 I am looking for indigenous, drought tolerant, leafy dense plants (kind of hosta like) that will grow in deep shade (under a tree that gets little sun) in Jacksonville, Florida. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Montezuma cypress trees for San Antonio June 23, 2012 Are Montezuma cypress trees good drought tolerant trees for your yard? I live 30 miles south of San Antonio; would this tree be good for this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Asclepias tuberosa June 18, 2012 Re: Asclepias tuberosa, "butterfly weed" bush -- I have a bed in a mix of Shoal Creek well-drained caliche, soil, and some enrichment of mulch that gets almost full sun and low water. After 4 yrs a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground cover under live oaks June 18, 2012 I have some areas under Live Oak trees (maybe 200 sq. ft.)that remain bare, in spite of trying Habiturf. Soil is dry, poor and shallow. Can you suggest a living ground cover that would not require m... 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 |  | |
| Groundcover and Butterfly attractants for LaRue Texas May 02, 2012 LaRue, TX - Would like a native low growing plant as a groundcover. I would like it for six+ hours of sun, drought tolerant, and ones that butterflies might enjoy, while deer won't. Some winter int... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover for a bank in PA April 28, 2012 I live in Landisburg, PA, (zone 6). I need to find some ground cover for a primarily full sun bank that is roughly 10-12' down over the embankment and up to 100' long. This area wraps around our po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need a drought resistant, maintenance free tree in Thomasville, GA. April 20, 2012 I have been through many tree forums and asked several nurseries about a good tree to plant but nobody has provided an adequate answer and I hope you can help. I live in SW Georgia (Zone 8) and need ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade tolerant Wildflowers for Oklahoma City April 16, 2012 I live in Oklahoma City. I'm not in town very often, and am seeking low maintenance plants. I have MANY trees in my backyard, which makes it quite shady. I have raised beds amongst my rock garden ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter- and drought-resistant plant for North Central Texas April 11, 2012 I would like to know is there a good winter and drought resistant flowering bush for my area. I would like something with bigger flowers like azaleas or roses maybe bigger, that will not grow anymore... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Specifications for a property in Corning CA March 29, 2012 Drought resistant, deer resistant, low growing (ground cover), and shade tolerant request: I am looking for a variety of species that not only fit the above preferences, but also a few other things. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering Deer Resistant Ground Cover for Dry Rocky Soil: Alabama March 26, 2012 My question has been partially answered in the FAQ but I live in Birmingham where the soil is clay and rocky so it's a little different. I want to plant on a rocky slope (small rocks like the size of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedge in Desert Full Sun March 25, 2012 We want a short hedge, 2-3 ft tall, small leaves that fill in to full looking hedge. It is in Phoenix Arizona area and gets full sun all afternoon View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for Austin yard March 08, 2012 My main goal is to cover my yard with a "grass" or groundcover that can handle the Texas heat, predicted long drought and some dog paw traffic (without going dormant/brown in the winter). I don't n... 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 |  | |
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