Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
topic | question | |
Vine for shaded area in Austin February 15, 2009 Hi! I live in South Austin, and love my backyard. It is enclosed by chain-link fencing, and shrouded by (ack!) Hackberry trees. I would like to plant a vine on one fence to provide a privacy screen. T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants for a condo garden in Decatur GA February 12, 2009 I recently moved into a condo in Decatur (just outside Atlanta). I am now working on the back yard - just a patio and dirt right now. It is a small space and is shaded much of the day but does get s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grasses for shady acreage in Paige, TX February 10, 2009 My family recently bought property in Paige, TX. We thinned out the dense vegetation leaving pines and some oak and juniper. The ground is now bare sand throughout much of the property, except for th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What shade trees and shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa? February 09, 2009 I need to know what shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs and flowering shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa. thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native plants for part shade in North Carolina February 07, 2009 I'm thinking about planting a border in front of my house. It's on the north side, so it's fairly shady. One of the main problems with this is that I don't like many common shade plants, so it's ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Fast-growing shade tree for New Braunfels, Texas January 29, 2009 I would like to plant a tree in the back of my property which is located in the Hill Country just north of New Braunfels. Could you please suggest something that is fast growing and will grow in full... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen plants for shaded fence in Arizona January 28, 2009 I need to place a fence around my front yard (4-5 ft tall), in Arizona. What evergreen flower/plant can you recommend that would grow on this fence? (it would only get about 2-4 hours of sun daily and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native ground covers for rocky, shady slope in Arlington, TX January 25, 2009 I need a good native ground cover for a completely shaded and rocky 30 degree slope with red sandy soil and southern exposure. Will anything grow in these conditions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grasses for yard in part shade and shade January 11, 2009 I have a shady yard with no grass whatsoever in San Marcos, TX. Since there are no roots to anchor the soil, the air (and the house) is full of dust. I want to plant a native grass that does well in f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant that can move from outside to inside for Denton, TX December 14, 2008 I am looking for a plant that is either native to Texas or is well acclimated to the Denton TX area that can move from a covered outside area to an adjacent indoor area behind large glass walls, to a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
topic | question |