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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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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Wednesday - December 31, 2008
From: Tyler, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Tree for area around patio in East Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What is the best type of tree to plant around my patio which faces the southeastANSWER:
On our Recommended Species page select the East Texas area from the map or from the pull-down menu and you will get a list of "commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in East Texas." You can use the "NARROW YOUR SEARCH" option to limit the list to trees by choosing "Tree" from the Habit (general appearance) option. This will narrow the list to 44 tree species that will do well in East Texas. You can then look at the "Plant Characteristics" and "Growing Conditions" to see what best suits your site. Look also under "Benefit" if you are looking for colorful fall foliage or use by birds and other wildlife. Here are a few favorites of Mr. Smarty Plants from that list:Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood)
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
Fraxinus americana (white ash)
More Trees Questions
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March 18, 2010 - Greetings,
My Prunus mexicana (Mexican Plum) did not produce flowers before its leaves. Can you tell me why? I was hoping to have some fruit this year.
Also, as of this morning March 13. My...
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Pfluegerville Screening Hedge
May 25, 2014 - We live just north of Austin in a subdivision built on farm land so we have relatively flat land with good soil. We just put in a pool and are needing a privacy hedge along our 66 ft back fence. We ...
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Leaves on maple turning red in June in Pittsburgh PA
August 01, 2010 - We live in PA and have a medium sized maple tree in our back yard. It is not a red maple. This year, in June, the very top of the tree's foliage turned bright red. This bright red started at the t...
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Problems with Mexican Olive tree from Edinburg TX
October 06, 2013 - My Mexican olive (anacahuita) shows no obvious signs of pest or disease, but over the last years has more and more dead limbs and smaller and smaller leaves. It's in a yard with a sprinkler system t...
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Need a tree with a tap root for a small flower bed in Winston-Salem, NC..
May 20, 2010 - Dear Mr Smarty Plants,
I am looking for a tree 6-10', somewhat spreading, could flower (not essential) to serve as a focal point in a small bed with small shrubs and perennials. I need a tree with ...
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