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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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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Tuesday - March 22, 2016
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: Caring for a wildflower meadow in Austin, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
We have a meadow full of wildflowers in the country, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, etc. What can we do to promote continued growth and is there a certain time of year we should mow? Should we fertilize and can we use herbicide to get rid of undesirable plants or will that harm the flowers? Should we add new seeds each fall?ANSWER:
I am going to refer you to one of our How to Articles entitled “Meadow Gardening” which should answer your questions.
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