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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| Blueberries & Raspberries for Walla Walla WA October 17, 2011 Which blueberry and raspbery plants grow best and suvive winter in Walla Walla Washington View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need source for garlic to plant in garden in Fort Worth, TX. September 30, 2011 Where can I get or purchase a native Texas garlic to plant in my garden? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are the seeds of Amberique bean edible in Beaumont, TX September 28, 2011 I found one of these growing in my yard. Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott Amberique-bean, Trailing fuzzybean. Are the bean pods edible? I read somewhere that they are. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What variety of Opuntia is best for eating in Boerne, TX. September 26, 2011 Which variety of Opuntia, is best for eating the pads and which are the ones best eaten for fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Patience pays off with chile pequin in Austin September 24, 2011 Hello. Re my June 08, 2011 message -- Guess what! The chile pequin is finally flowering and setting fruit in its container on my apartment patio. You said patience, you were right, and hooray once aga... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of tree with strawberry-like fruit in North Carolina September 24, 2011 While visiting Boone, North Carolina we walked the Greenway in town. There were a few trees with a round red fruit similar to a strawberry. They were about the size of a penny and a dull red color dot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Could hickory leaves be used as seasoning from Waynesboro VA September 17, 2011 I have a hickory tree. If I pull a leaf off and rip it then smell, there is a strong wonderful scent of hickory much like when I rip a mint leaf there is a strong smell of mint. So my question is, can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| List of plants native to the Abilene, Texas area September 15, 2011 Am looking for direction to a complete list of plants native to the Abilene, Taylor County, Texas area (trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti and other plants that grew here before cultivation, eradication or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification in Georgia September 14, 2011 I saw the same question that I was going to ask about the plant that folds its leaves at dusk, with sparse branches, rapid growth, small yellow flowers and long (whisker-like, but do not appear to be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are there edible nettles native to the Austin, TX area? September 13, 2011 Are there any nettles native to this area? I would like to cook with them (if there is a good substitute, please advise). Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying a plant similar to sarsaparilla September 04, 2011 I am trying to identify a plant that looks very similar to sasparilla, but has a ring of blue berries at the end of a long stalk, and the plant itself is spreading, not an isolated herb like sasparill... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| A garlic plant with only one clove in Ft. Worth, TX? August 08, 2011 Is there a garlic that does not have cloves? I have been using what appears to be garlic from my garden and it is garlicy, hot and delicious. I have spent many hours online but cannot find this garlic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Jelly made from local plums from Amarillo TX July 29, 2011 On Wednesday, August 5, 2009 you answered a question on native plants in the Austin area in which you wrote:"Two kinds of local plums have also been used to make jellies: Mexican Plum (Prunus mexican... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Nectar from Lonicera sempervirens edible from Fairfax VA June 01, 2011 Is the nectar from Lonicera sempervirens edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Thalia dealbata toxic to dogs? May 16, 2011 A pond in a park frequented by dogs contains Thalia dealbata and I have seen numerous dogs eating the roots with relish, which we discourage, of course. They seem to really enjoy it though. Aft... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a plant with bumpy red fruit April 26, 2011 I have a bush with red berry like pods on it. They are about 3/4 of an inch bumpy round with a big seed inside. The leaves are smooth and oval shape. Please let me know if it is poisonous or not, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for fruit and nut trees to plant in San Augustine, TX April 05, 2011 I am setting up residence in San Augustine, Texas on approximately 9 acres of land. We wanted to plant a few of each type of fruit and nut trees that would prosper in the area (for wildlife and for o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Information about Cedar Sage from Austin March 11, 2011 I am new to the Austin area and was wondering about cedar sage (salvia roemeriana). Is this plant considered aromatic, non-aromatic of chia? And, other than the edible flower are other parts of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Jersalem artichoke as a medicinal herb February 05, 2011 I am having trouble with high cholesterol and coming up on being borderline diabetic and I am overweight. I know that Jerusalum Artichoke helps lower blood sugar. Am into herbs and J.A. is hard to l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Culture of Polytaenia nuttallii, Prairie Parsley January 21, 2011 Polytaenia nuttallii is listed at the Wildflower Center as a biennial. PLANTS database lists it as a perennial. Please clear this up if you can. If I plant this at home with tomato plants will it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dead or Dormant Chile Pequins in Corpus Christi November 12, 2010 We have 4 chile pequin and 5 chiltepin plants growing our yard. All were thriving beautifully until we took a 12-day vacation in late July. There was little rain during that time but overall this y... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Petals of flowers on cake from London August 28, 2010 Hi could you please confirm whether it is safe to position an amaryllis on top of a fresh cream cake (it will not be eaten, nor will the stem touch the cream, it will be positioned in a non toxic vial... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Petals of flowers on cake from London August 28, 2010 Hi could you confirm that Gemini, Lisianthus and Lilies are non toxic if positioned onto a fresh cream cake (stem will be paced into a vial but the petals will come into contact with the cream). Thank... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible/medicinal plants in Suffolk County, NY August 19, 2010 Which types of edible/medicinal plants are available in Suffolk County (Long Island NY)? Is there a place I can find a list with information about what they look like, where they can be found and what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are wild sweet peas edible? August 05, 2010 Are wild sweet peas edible? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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