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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Thursday - January 30, 2003
From: Andalusia, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Creating a wildlife refuge
Answered by: Stephen Brueggerhoff
QUESTION:
We would like to make my yard more of a wildlife refuge by using a portion of the lawn for plants and shrubs and may afford shelter for birds and other wildlife. Can you please recommend what we should plant?ANSWER:
I think it is wonderful that you are researching plants that are native to your area in regards to landscaping. The benefits of landscaping with native plants are innumerable, and your support and care of your local ecosystem will prove to be beneficial in the long-run. We do provide information on-line about native plants that are distributed in your area from our Native Plants Database, as well as general guidelines to assist the home landscaper with projects; however, the information that you are requesting is very specific for your region. An alternate resource that you can utilize regarding native plants in your area is the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society website.More Wildlife Gardens Questions
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March 20, 2004 - I’d like to start a backyard habitat. How do I begin?
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Native plants for birds and butterflies
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Native plants for wildlife gardening in Illinois
May 29, 2006 - I live in Rockford, Illinois. Where/How can I find information on native flowers, plants, trees, grasses and animals, and other things I can plant on our property (about an acre) to provide a home fo...
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Hummingbird plants and Indian Hawthorn
May 13, 2008 - I live in The Woodlands in a new section of homes. I planted some hummingbird plants in full sun and they did ok last year for 4 months, then lost all their leaves and died when the winter came. At ...
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