Native Plants
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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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| Plants for under a fountain splash line in California January 29, 2009 What plants should we plant under our fountain's splash line in our Mediterranean style courtyard? The area will get wet from the fountain's splashing and have "full" sun. We are on a rock ridge... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Drought-resistant plants for Paradise, California January 23, 2009 We are moving to a new home in Paradise, CA. What drought resistant plants do well in Paradise ? Thank you !! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Floristic Quality Assessment program in Texas? January 19, 2009 Do you have knowledge of a Floristic Quality Assessment program for Texas such as the ones used in Indiana and Illinois? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrubs for blocking car noise in Austin January 18, 2009 I live on Bee Caves road and was wondering what is the best tree/shrub I could use to block noise from cars? I've seen evergreen mentioned, is this the right one to plant? Also, if there are existing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do female possumhaws require male to bloom? January 02, 2009 Do female possumhaws require a male nearby to bloom? I've read that about yaupon hollies, but not possumhaws specifically. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for winter installation in Houston January 01, 2009 What plants can you plant in the winter, Houston, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Further information on soil pH for growing blueberries December 31, 2008 Thank you for your reponse to my question / comment. You were exactly right about soil pH. Here is what Clemson University Extension has to say about growing blueberries in North and South Carolina.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Narrow, evergreen shrub for privacy December 28, 2008 I live in San Antonio and my backyard is all driveway except for a 2-3' space in front of a 6 ft chain fence. I'd like to find an evergreen narrow shrub for privacy. Would Nandina be a good choice?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs for privacy hedge in Lockhart, TX December 21, 2008 I will be retiring from the US Army to Lockhart, Texas in March. We have a small house with a 6' security fence. I have always been an advocate of Hedges for security, sound dampening and wildlife ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lantanas with brown leaves December 18, 2008 I have several lantana plants here in Austin, TX. They did extremely well all summer long up until our first freeze. It looks like they have all died. Are they just dormant or are they dead? Their lea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Epiphytic or halophytic trees and shrubs December 10, 2008 Hello I was searching on this issue, but couldn't find what I really want, and I would be great full for your assistance. Please could you help me to find the scientific name for the "Trees" or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flower bed with part sun December 05, 2008 I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small white bugs on indoor hibiscus in Ohio November 25, 2008 My Hibiscus has small white bugs on the leaves with small white residue. Looks like very small pieces of white rice. This white rice is also covering the UNOPENED buds and making them fall off. It ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is a Texas Mountain Laurel too messy for swimming pool area? November 24, 2008 Our landscaper has recommended a Texas Mountain Laurel to plant beside our swimming pool. We recently removed Cherry Laurels from the same location because of the mess they made in the pool (especiall... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to plant a gooseberry bush November 22, 2008 Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush. Thanks, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grasses and shrubs for Houston project November 21, 2008 I am working on a project in Houston. As part of the sustainable approach of the project, I would like to plant native / adaptive, non-invasive grasses and shrubs. It is key that they use little wat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen native shrubs for hedge in Austin November 20, 2008 Please help! Looking for an inexpensive, fast growing shrub or tree to plant along 200' fence in our backyard. Lots of sun (southwest side) but I wouldn't call it dry. Hoping for something that k... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hedge of native Purple Sage in Austin November 20, 2008 Hi, I would like to plant a dense hedge of Purple Sage that will hopefully grow from 6-8 ' tall and about 4' wide. I purchased the Silverado Sage Leucophyllum frutescens 'Berstar Dwarf' variety.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small area native plant gardening for an apartment November 14, 2008 Mr.Smarty, We live in an apartment and are fortunate to have a small area, 5'x5', and so want color! Here in Houston the winters don't freeze much and the summers are HOT. Luckily, we are in the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pale leaves and brown tips on Tecoma stans in Austin November 12, 2008 I have a Tecoma Stans planted in a large galvanized container in a sunny spot. It has grown very fast in the last few months and flowers regularly, but the leaves are pale and the tips are turning bro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Necessary sun exposure for Eves Necklace November 12, 2008 How little sun can the tree Eve's Necklace receive and still be happy and healthy? I have an intended spot that gets about 3, maybe 4 hours, some of that will be hot afternoon sun in the summer. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indoor lantana tree dropping leaves November 06, 2008 I purchased a lantana tree,a lantana hybrid that is only tolerant to 32 degrees. We are zone 5 so I brought it indoors and it only gets the morning sun, and 85%of the leaves have fallen off. The leav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer eating creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata) November 04, 2008 We have Creosote Bushes (Larrea tridentata) that grow wild on out 10 acres. The deer eat those plants all year 'round. Probably more in the dry times of the year. Just wanted to let you know that t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| List of Central Texas native shrubs October 28, 2008 Need to find a list of Central Texas native shrubs. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Repotting of lemon cypress for drainage October 26, 2008 Hi, I bought a lemon cypress tree in a nice tin, It is in Plastic and the bottom has about 1.5" of water with no drainage in the plastic or tin. It will be kept inside. Does the plant need to be in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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