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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| Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon April 28, 2009 I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of Northern honeysuckle bush April 26, 2009 I have a honeysuckle bush, I have had it for about year to two years. I would like to know if I should cut the brown parts off. There are some vines that do not look good, but some of the branches ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native replacement for Mexican heather in Llano, TX April 24, 2009 Please suggest a native or adaptable alternative plant for Mexican Heather. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Twisted hibiscus tree in Plainfield, IN April 24, 2009 I have just bought 4 twisted hibiscus trees and repotted them immediately then brought them into my screened in porch until I was certain the weather would be safe to keep them outside (I live in Cent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on yaupon in Ft. Worth April 23, 2009 I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly in January in full sun. It is blooming little white flowers right now for spring, but a lot of leaves are turning yellow. Do you know what is causing this? ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen native shrubs in Long Island, NY April 17, 2009 I would like to plant evergreen bushes (or trees)against my house facing north with no sun and growing no taller than 4 feet high. Any suggestions? I live in Coram, Long Island, New York View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Heirloom plants for Gault Homestead in Austin April 15, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, The Gault Homestead at 2106 Klattenhoff in the middle of Wells Branch Subdivision is to be planted with heirloom or heritage plants soon. There is some sun for the planter bo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Combining native shrubs for hedge in Austin April 15, 2009 Smarty, Please tell me what the definitions are for all the various water, soil moisture, drainage and light requirements mean. Are the definitions global? I live in Central East Austin and inten... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Short evergreen shrub for Virginia April 10, 2009 I have been looking everywhere for an evergreen shrub that is 3-4 ft. in height, non-poisonous to humans, and that thrives in zone 7 to no avail. Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID and pruning in Portage IN April 09, 2009 I'm looking for information on trimming a bush about 6 feet in diameter with orange horns in bloom and its name. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge for Austin April 09, 2009 Hi. I live in West Austin and am having trouble finding plants for our heavily shaded yard (thanks to our beautiful large live oaks). I love glossy, dark green leaves and big flowers. I love the came... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for full sun in Austin April 03, 2009 I am looking for a tough, native TX plant to put in full sun location between the sidewalk and street. I would love for it to flower all summer. There is some irrigation but not much. I don't want ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for near a salt water swimming pool April 01, 2009 I need some suggestions of plants that will grow next to a public salt water swimming pool, located in Bossier City, Louisiana View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs or trees for privacy shield in Cross Plains TX March 31, 2009 I'm looking for a small tree or large bush that will stay green year round to use for a privacy shield. We have electrical lines overhead so I need to keep it a low growing tree or bush that will he... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning a mock orange in Charleston WV March 30, 2009 How far back and when do I prune a "Mock Orange" in order to get it to bloom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blue rug juniper native to New Hampshire March 29, 2009 Is the blue rug juniper native to New Hampshire? I'm considering it for ground cover near lake in zip 03872. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with red tip photinia in San Antonio March 29, 2009 I have a red tip photinia that's about 20 years old and about 20 feet high--it is big! I noticed last summer the highest leaves looked droopy all the time even with deep watering and now that portion... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs for wildlife santuary in Georgia March 27, 2009 We live south of Atlanta, GA and are trying to have our backyard certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Can you suggest native shrubs that thrive in partial sun, are habitats for bird and are deer resist... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a creek bank in Northern Illinois March 26, 2009 Hello. I live in Northern Illinois. The creek (northern exposure in a wooded area) on the back of my property has bare muddy banks and is subject to seasonal floods. I want to plant something hardy t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for shrubs for a 150ft. barrier. March 25, 2009 What do you suggest for planting 150' site barrier only 15' high western Idaho? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant for full sun behind waterfall March 21, 2009 I have a 24 inch waterfall around my pool. I need to plant something behind it. I have full sun and hot Texas weather. I will be watering everyday, so what do you think would grow well in this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Living fence to contain sheep in Indiana March 19, 2009 I would like to plant a living fence that would also contain sheep. I have researched this but I cannot find a definite list of trees or shrubs to use. Do you have any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for northern exposure in Wichita, KS March 17, 2009 What are good plants for the north side of the house with acidic soil in Zone 6, Wichita, KS? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow leaves on non-native pittisporum in Wharton TX March 17, 2009 Green pittisporum that I planted 2 years ago and 1 year ago are getting a lot of yellow leaves. Variegated pittisporum that I planted at the same 2 times are doing fine. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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