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.
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?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Weeds in Blue Rug juniper in Phoenix MD September 28, 2009 The landscaper planted Blue Rug Junipers around the Helleri Holly and Yews in front of my house ten years ago. The Blue Rug has done great and looks really nice. My problem is that weeds grow up in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small evergreen shrubs for horse barn in North Carolina September 26, 2009 I want to plant some low growing evergreen shrubs in pots in my paddock around my barn. The horses can occasionally be in this are but not for an extended time. I am in NC. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping in Bertram TX September 25, 2009 I have a landscaping job in Bertram, Texas and am looking for all my options as far as full and partial shade somewhat hardy plants. I'm mainly looking for small plants and pretty flowers I can do wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub with fall color in Round Rock, TX September 21, 2009 I am looking for a shrub that has fall color much like the burning bush euonymus, but needs to be evergreen the rest of the year since it will be used as a foundation plant. Are there any plants that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge border for Boynton Beach FL September 21, 2009 Seek recommendations for planting in zip code 33437: 2-2.5' high, dense formal hedge border: minimal care, full sun, sandy, 1-2x/wk irrigation. Is Ficus Green Island Microcarpa suitable? Other rec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small shrubs for flower bed in Denton, Texas September 16, 2009 I have a small flowerbed that faces south on the front of my house. What small shrubs would be best in that situation? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas September 16, 2009 Do you have any suggestions for salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for fenceline in Houston September 13, 2009 I live in Houston, TX and would like your suggestion on what plants, trees or shrubs would work best to grow alongside a fence to hide a neighbor's backyard. We all have relatively small backyards. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for privacy in Merced County California September 11, 2009 Mr. Smarty, A main road will be moving closer to our home in the next two years. A chain link fence will be put in but we would like to start planting now for privacy. We would appreciate any ide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Unproductive Blackberries in Greenfield, Wisconsin September 10, 2009 dI planted 3 Blackberry bushes and 4 Red Raspberry bushes 4 years ago. This would be the 3rd year for productivity. My Raspberry bushes are dual bearing and started producing fall of the same year we ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants/shrubs to plant under sycamore and redbud trees September 03, 2009 I want to eventually get rid of our front lawn. We have a 40 year old sycamore tree and a young but well established redbud tree in the front yard. What are some good plants/shrubs to plant under the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for New Jersey September 01, 2009 Need suggestions for Zone 6; Up to 2-3'H compact; evergreen foundation plants; deer resistant; sunny-partial shade; clay soil conditions. Appreciate your input. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs for house landscaping in Virginia September 01, 2009 I would like suggestions for types of shrubs to be planted in front of my house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs with sparse leaves and flowers for creek in Idaho September 01, 2009 I am looking for several shrubs that have spindly limbs and sparse leaves with flowers. The idea is to place them in front of windows or other views to add a lacey/veiled effect for the observer. I li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Esperanza failing to bloom in Odessa TX September 01, 2009 I have 3 Esperanza plants that have not bloomed this spring/summer. I live in Odessa, TX. We had about 5 inches of rain in July in one week (very unusual), but they have not bloomed-before or after. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrub or small tree to hide walls in southern California August 31, 2009 We have multiple issues in our back yard in 92683, and will probably need an assortment of plants to accomplish it. In a nutshell, here are the basics we were hoping to fix: 1) Ugly 5 & 6 foot block... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification shrub with lavender flowers August 28, 2009 Looking for picture of flowering shrub,looks like a butterfly,two shades of lavender, don't know the name. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for a hedge in Iredell, Tx August 28, 2009 I have six Penelope roses that I planted for a hedge about 14 years ago. I need to replace them. Will you please recommend heat tolerant plants that grow between 3-5 feet tall, preferable blooming, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming Texas mountain laurel in Austin August 27, 2009 Is there a specific time to trim established mountain laurels? Should I cut off the dried seed pods since they are weighing down the branches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Caterpillars attacking mountain laurel in Marble Falls TX August 27, 2009 What are the caterpillars that eat up our mountain laurel? Nothing left but a few stems. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need shrubs to form a barrier fence to exclude large dogs in Huntsvile, TX. August 26, 2009 I'm seeking shrubs to form a barrier fence to strongly discourage free-roaming large dogs from entering a property in Huntsville, Texas. The site is currently just a grass yard basking in full sun, g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fragrant foundation plants for sunny, dry area in Illinois August 26, 2009 We need suggestions of what to plant on the south side of our house heave sun and rather dry soil. We just took out old dead bushes. Would prefer something that flowers and smells nice that would gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blueberries in Arlington TX August 25, 2009 Which wild or native blueberries can I grow in Arlington Texas? I think it is zone 8? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Declining wax myrtles in Katy, TX August 24, 2009 My wax myrtle bushes were thick and green except for a few on the NE side 6 months ago when we bought the house. Now they are thin, leggy, and dropping leaves like crazy. They seem to be dying one bra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for erosion control in Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2009 I have a terraced high side lot(front of house). I currently have Yuccas growing, but they are too invasive. Can you suggest plants, shrubs, or ground covers that are not as invasive and will still ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |