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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| Identity of vine in New York September 30, 2013 Hey there. I've recently found a "Wild Cucumber" vine in my backyard, which has been taking over our electric fence. Now I've stumbled across another very similar vine. They fruits are clustere... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of shrubs in Austin neighborhood September 30, 2013 I have run across two beautiful bushes in our neighborhood. They have flowering branches that daisy-chain out like a fountain. No one can tell me what they are. They are located in front and on the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wild cranberries in Pennsylvania September 27, 2013 Where are wild cranberries located in northwest PA, near Brookville? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| New thorn/bush tree in Central Texas September 23, 2013 In Central Texas, over the last 5 years we have seen a new variety of thorn bush appear. It has very long thorns much like mesquite tree but thorns are every inch or so along the branches. The tree is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant growing with purchased plant September 23, 2013 I purchased a heurchera and there was another plant that was growing in the pot with it. I planted both together in my garden. The "other" plant is growing and none of the gardeners around here has ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of shrub growing wild in Austin Texas area September 23, 2013 Hi! I need help identifying a bush growing wild in my area. I have pictures of leaves fruit and bark. I cant find a good place to post these in order to ID plant. I'm in Austin TX area. Thank... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification September 10, 2013 I love around Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and I saw a strange plant. It has a soft green outer shell, a harder thinner shell inside, points, but aren't pointy, and a white substance out of the stem when... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID from Brick, New Jersey September 07, 2013 I live in Brick, New Jersey. I planted some wildflower seed from an assorted packet. There is a very tall, thick center stem with orange flowers. I'd like to send photo but don't know how. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What are the differences between Arbutus xalapensis, A. unedo and A. marina August 29, 2013 One nursery lists madrone trees as arbutus uneda compacta and arbutus marina. The other lists it as arbutus xalapensis, which is the only name I can find in the data base. There is a very large pric... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of plant with thorns in Maryland August 27, 2013 I live in Maryland and was walking in the woods one day when I accidentally stumbled in to a thorn bush. I don't remember what color the thorns where or very much about the plant in general but I do ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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