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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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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| Removing a non-native windmill palm from Austin February 27, 2013 I have a fairly good size windmill palm (about 15ft high) that is planted too close to the house. I also don't like having to constantly remove its fronds as they block a walkway. Is there a good wa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is a lawn broom from Cibolo TX February 15, 2013 Concerning gulf muhly grass you mention using a lawn broom to get rid of the dead stalks. What is a lawn broom? What does it look like? Where can I purchase one? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Winter pruning of lantana from Austin February 12, 2013 I live in north Austin. Due to our mild winter, my lantana has not died off this season as it usually does after a freeze - and so I have not cut it back yet this year which I typically do about right... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trimming Butterfly Plants February 11, 2013 I am looking for detailed information on trimming common butterfly plants: crucita, cenizo, sweet-stem, whitebrush, Mexican trixis, skeleton-leaf goldeneye, white plumbago, turk's cap, desert lantana... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning pink skullcap and rock daisy from Austin February 06, 2013 I have some pink skullcap and rock daisy and other plants in my yard that never entirely die back over the winter. Can you tell me what kind of pruning is appropriate? How far can/should I cut them ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Pigeonberry February 06, 2013 Should pigeonberry be pruned back to the ground this time of year or should a few inches of stem be left? This is my first spring with them in the garden and I've not found any reference material tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Copper Plants February 06, 2013 I planted two beautiful copper plants in my front beds. They went wild during the fall, but got so leggy that I cut them back nearly to the ground, which I believe was a mistake. Will they come back o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning Cuphea Plants February 04, 2013 The David Verity cuphea (cigar plants) that I planted last spring are now 3-4 feet high. I would like to move them, but before I do they seem to need pruning. All the branches are brown and dry lookin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming inland sea oats from Waco TX January 30, 2013 Re: Inland Sea Oats and trimming back in early spring "It passes through most of winter a soft brown, but becomes tattered and gray by February, a good time to cut it back to the basal rosette." ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Saucer Magnolia in Eatontown, NJ. January 12, 2013 Adult Saucer Magnolia (tulip tree). Branches were getting heavy to where they were ready to break. I pruned them back leaving 1 to 3 inch diameter cuts on many branches. Should I put something on th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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