Native Plants
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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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| 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 | ||
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