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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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Orange eggs on milkweed plants October 18, 2012 Hello I have milk weed in my flower garden. Every year I find small orange 'eggs' on the leaves and stems of the plant. I don't think these are the monarch eggs, but not sure if they are other... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK September 20, 2012 We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared. Are there h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| New nursery plants with sappy spots from Round Rock, TX September 09, 2012 We live on the west side of RR, near Cedar Park and recently bought three 15 gallon cherry laurels from a nursery. Started to plant them today as we bought them a week ago and noticed base of the trun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sticky film on oak tree leaves from Whitney TX September 04, 2012 What is the sticky film that is coating leaves on our oak trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with mountain laurel from Sunrise Beach TX August 29, 2012 In Llano Co., TX near lake LBJ, crushed granite type soil - my 4 - 5 year old TX Mtn. Laurels (2), about the size of large wheel barrows, are turning very pale, dropping leaves and on 1 the seed pods ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tiny holes oozing sap from Austin August 22, 2012 My ash tree becomes loaded with butterflies on the trunk. At closer inspection, I see they are drinking sap which is coming from small holes in the trunk. Are the butterflies creating the holes? I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wasps on live oaks from Sinton TX August 20, 2012 Wasps on my live oak trees. What is attracting them? Does this hurt the tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oaks emitting substance in Lakeway TX August 14, 2012 We have two large oak trees in our yard that are emitting a clear, very sticky, non-fragrant substance. The leaves are beginning to be covered as is our deck. Bees are now attracted and I am worried ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insect damage on possumhaw August 12, 2012 We planted a small possumhaw in February of this year (2012). It had leaves and some berries and was doing real well until some bug starting eating the leaves and berries. I know it is not deer becau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants that donkeys won't eat August 08, 2012 What plants/trees do donkeys NOT like? I live in Hawaii on the Big Island and they visit once a week in my yard. I like them but would prefer that they stay just outside. Unfortunately they like my... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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