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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| Native Plants for a Steep Slope in TN July 15, 2014 Hello, I live in Knoxville, TN and have a very steep slope in our backyard. There is a lot of water erosion causing our grass to be covered with red dirt. I would love to try to plant something on thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees Planted Over Underground Parking Garage July 13, 2014 I live in an apartment complex. We have trees planted over an underground parking lot. I know the names of all the trees and I want to know how much soil they should be planted in to NOT cause damage ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildlife Attracting Plants for a Shady Patio July 03, 2014 We have a concrete patio that receives 2-3 hours of sunlight a day, so the only plants we will be able to grow will be in container. We are looking for plants that do well in shade, and containers and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Hedge for Maryland Porch July 03, 2014 I am working on a screen/fence, which is a barrier hedge between our house and our next door neighbor's house to add privacy to our screen porch and dining area, especially in winter. The fence would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problem with American Beautyberry in Houston. July 02, 2014 My American Beautyberry is dying one branch at a time. The entire plant looks great, now flowering and starting to put out berries. Then one or two branches will completely die. Trim those off, wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failure of Rock roses to bloom in Wimberly June 26, 2014 How do we get our rock roses to bloom. Our bushy plant has grown well but for the last two years seed pods form directly without noticeable blooms View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Screening Plants for Cape Cod June 17, 2014 I need to plant some fairly high growing leafy plants/bushes/trees for privacy and as a sound barrier in (the remains of) a pine forest in Cape Cod, MA. The pines grow tall and skinny so that we can s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hedge shrubs that attract butterflies & birds in Virginia June 13, 2014 Hi - I need recommendations for north VA hedge shrubs that attract butterflies and birds. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 12, 2014 We live in Magnolia TX and have a shrub we can't identify. It's evergreen and has waxy leaves with a serrated edge that are about an inch in length. They have pink flowers and they grow to ab... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need for smaller tree with less invasive roots from Ft. Worth TX June 07, 2014 The sycamore in the front yard has developed roots larger than the branches. They have decided that the water and sewer lines are perfect to acquire their water from. For this reason it will be coming... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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