Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - December 31, 2008

From: Seagrove, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: User Comments
Title: Correction to question involving acid vs. alkaline soil
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

In a question about blueberries you said most blueberry web sites are in states with deciduous trees including pines. Not sure about your part of the world but here in NC the pine trees keep the needles all year..Pines are coniferous trees. Just thought I'd help you clear that up.

ANSWER:

You are precisely right, thank you for calling it to our attention. Actually, we knew that pines are evergreen, it was just bad wording. We have now put in the words "....deciduous trees and evergreen pines" to make it a little more clear. This was a previous question from someone in an area with alkaline soil, and we were just trying to explain why their blueberries weren't going to prosper in that alkaline soil without some major soil amendments.
 

More User Comments Questions

Fast growing groundcover for New York
September 02, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I love your site! But I can't quite find this answer: can you recommend a fast-growing groundcover native to southern NY State (Dutchess County) that I can plant NOW (Augus...
view the full question and answer

How can I submit a picture with my question?
November 09, 2010 - How can I submit a picture with my question?
view the full question and answer

Would like a "try instead of" list for non-native plants in Austin, TX.
June 19, 2012 - It would be so helpful if, when asked about a non-native plant, you would do a "try instead of" list. I have about 45 plants to reseach from my landscaping firm, and it's wearing me out to try to...
view the full question and answer

User comments on soils from Austin
July 02, 2013 - You had a question this month about chlorosis in a Mexican plum in Bellaire. You correctly, in my opinion, answered that the problem was most likely overwatering. However, I just wanted to point out a...
view the full question and answer

Links to geographical zones
February 06, 2006 - A link page to similar sites would be helpful. Rather than 8 "geographical zones" how about by real zones; I live in California at 8000 feet. I know I can use the Rocky Mt. Zone to a degree, but al...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.