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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| Identification of invasive plant March 26, 2010 I have found an invasive plant species in Martindale, Texas that I would like to identify for family members. It is taking over their pasture and is difficult to eliminate. It has not bloomed yet but... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants to go between patio stones in Oceanside CA February 24, 2010 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I live in Oceanside CA about 5 mi from the coast and have an about 20' sq private patio with "issues". Patio has with flagstones, one side all sun all day, middle area part... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When should I plant bermuda grass seeds? February 10, 2010 When should I plant bermuda grass seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) roots cause problems in a leach field? January 14, 2010 A new neighbor is concerned my Arbovitae's root system will go into his leach field. His house has been there also for the same amount of time as the tree and the field. The tree is 45 years old. Do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Killing mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) with propane torch January 14, 2010 Can I kill mesquite with intense fire, such as a 1.2 million BTU propane torch? I know mesquite bounces back from cutting at the soil line. The trees are in Elgin. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating bamboo in Austin December 07, 2009 Everyone should be warned about bamboo and how invasive it is. My neighbor planted it in his back yard and it's now taking over my back yard and all the surrounding yards. He installed a barrier but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on various plants from Alamo TX November 15, 2009 Have you heard of the following plants: Butterfly Iris,Compact Nanpina, Red Dwarf Turks? I would like to know some details on the above plant: size, flowers?, drought tolerant, where to plant Thanki... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing three-seeded mercury in Austin November 09, 2009 How can I get rid of Three Seeded Mercury (Acalypha phleoides)? Even if I try to dig it up, the roots go down forever and it ends up just breaking at 6-8" down. Just breaking it off at the surface,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can a mustang grape and an oak coexist in Austin November 04, 2009 I have a healthy mustang grape vine growing on an oak in my yard. While the vine provides plenty of good food and a pleasant environment for many birds throughout the year, I feel it is overtaking the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Damage to ruellia in Monroe LA October 26, 2009 I have hundreds of Ruellia Brittoniana. Dwarf Katie White, Katie Blue and Katie Pink. I am finding holes in some of the leaves, Some just have notches chewed out of them. Some of the leaves have... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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