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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| When to Move Potted Plants Outside in Texas? July 07, 2016 When can I move my potted patio plants back outside? I live in Heath/ Rockwall, Texas. I have Horses tail, Croutens, and Money tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting Canary Island Date Palm in Austin, Texas July 07, 2016 I want to plant a Phoenix canariensis on the south side of my property in West Austin, in a sheltered location. We are on very shallow soil - on top of limestone. Does the plant have any chance of sur... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Questions about hollyhocks and yucca May 25, 2016 I have 2 questions. In Western N.Y. State the hollyhocks grow like weeds but add color with their large stalks. I've sent for seeds and the best I can do in N.W.Travis county is 9 inch plants that die... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of non-native plant March 17, 2016 I have a plant that grows about 1' tall, looks sort of like a dracaena. The leaves grow off of a short stem and are yellowish (no green at all) with brilliant slashes of hot pink an red. It is georg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pachira aquatica loosing leaves. March 17, 2016 We have an indoor money tree that is 20 feet tall, the leaves have started to turn brown and fall. We water twice a month and mist about the same. Can you opine what what we are doing wrong the plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Abutilon or Podocarpus Toxic to Dogs? March 17, 2016 Are either of these plants toxic to dogs? Flowering maple or the Podocarpus henkelii shrub. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dwarf Form of Japanese Blueberry? March 17, 2016 Is there a dwarf variety of Japanese blueberry that will grow in my area? Or is it so non-native that it's not in your category? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rabbit-proof Plants for Florida Swimming Pool Area February 22, 2016 I plan on planting white star jasmine and purple bocouilla plants around a south-facing swimming pool in Naples, Florida. I was told rabbits might eat them which we do have. Should I be concerned, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning Leggy Santolina January 30, 2016 We are members of the society and have loved your section offering advice. We have green santolina that is becoming quite leggy. I would like to prune them to get them more compact come spring and sum... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Florist Roses January 23, 2016 Often I find that florist roses sprout for me, but I fail to get them to grow into a bush. Do you have the answer? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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