Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - May 15, 2006
From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Repairing damage to perennials from hailstorm
Answered by: Dean Garrett
QUESTION:
We just had a tremendous hailstorm north of Georgetown. The hail was being blown horizontally and my perennials were sheared off at the ground. Is there any advice as to how to help these plants regain their vigor? I have applied a foliar spray of compost tea. Thanks.ANSWER:
Soil additives with nitrogen and potassium will be important to encourage leaf growth and vigor, and additional compost around the plants will also help. If any are fall bloomers, they may revive enough over the next few months that they bloom on schedule. For the others, you may have to wait until next year to see blooms. Since they're perennials, all should survive to bloom next year.More Wildflowers Questions
Getting rid of wildflowers in Frankfort IL
September 02, 2009 - Can you tell us how to get rid of wildflowers? We have wildflowers on the side of our pond and we want to plant sod next year.Should we cut them down this year and use a vegetation killer? We have fi...
view the full question and answer
Inadvisability of overseeding winter rye with wildflowers
January 15, 2007 - I've recently had such phenomenal success with winter rye seed that I'm looking for a spring wildflower seed mix to dress over the same area -- a thin-soiled and pretty bare open-sun (and sprinkler-...
view the full question and answer
Franciscans and bluebonnets
October 05, 2007 - I always thought the bluebonnets were native to Texas.
However, I'm reading a book on the Missions of Old Texas and the author
states the Franciscan brought into Texas the horse, cow, honey bees ...
view the full question and answer
Growing Texas wildflowers indoors for a March wedding from Austin
October 01, 2013 - I have learned so much from this site! Thank you! I am getting Married this March and I am hoping to use Texas wildflowers for the centerpieces. I hope to grow them in containers indoors and have the ...
view the full question and answer
Meadow planting on a shale slope with shallow soil in NY
March 04, 2010 - Need to elaborate on my previous question which I am sure will produce a different response. We have a very large slope, near the top of a very long driveway, that is in a sunny location and comprise...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |