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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| When should cochineal bugs be on prickly pear cactus? January 05, 2012 I am a fibers artist that would like to harvest the cochineal bugs from the prickly pear cactus. I would like to know what time of year should I expect to find the cochineal bugs around the Austin ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Desmodium spp. (beggar's lice) in Leander TX November 11, 2011 Our home backs up to a greenbelt on Blockhouse Creek in Williamson County, Texas (FM 1431 and Parmer Lane). The combination of the flood and drought has left our beautiful greenbelt with an abundance... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cenizos browning in Houston October 01, 2011 After this horrible drought, I am committed to xeriscaping with native Texas plants. The few hibiscus that survived have been transplanted into pots and are thriving. I bid the tiny boxwoods a fond fa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Swarming insects on non-native willow in Washington PA September 25, 2011 I have had a very large, beautiful pillow willow bush/tree growing next to our garage for about 8 years. Last year at the end of August, it began to attract white-faced hornets and yellow jackets by t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pest damage to Yaupon shrubs in Austin, TX September 18, 2011 I have noticed pest damage in our 4 ft. yaupon. There are circular holes eaten on 90% of the leaf growth. Trunk & branches look untouched and healthy. Could this be leafminers? How can I care for it?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Worms in non-native snake plant from Hillsborough NC September 17, 2011 I purchased a snake plant this summer for my screened in porch. I did not repot it and left it in the plastic pot in came it. I was about to repot the plant to bring it in and noticed there are worm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Striped caterpillars on Cornus sericea (redtwig dogwood) September 07, 2011 My red-twig dogwood has white/black striped caterpillars that congregate on the underside of the leaves and they are stripping the leaves. What can I do? They almost look like Monarch butterfly larvae... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Caterpillars devouring Blue Wild Indigo in Jesup GA September 05, 2011 I have a false blue indigo growing in my garden. Every spring it gets defoliated by Genista moth caterpillars. It usually doesn't put out new growth until the next spring. This summer, it has put ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bugs on Arizona Cypress in Bellwood IL August 27, 2011 I live in Illinois and have an Arizona Cypress that looks like it is dying but I notice today it has bugs inside its cone. Can you tell me why and what can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grasshopper invasion in Box Elder SD August 22, 2011 I just bought a new home and there is an infestation of grasshoppers throughout the neighborhood. What shrubs and/or flowers could I plant that they may not like to eat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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