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 | |
| Black Sooty Mold on Bay Tree February 25, 2013 I have a large bay tree and all the leaves are covered with a black mold-like substance on the top part of the leaf. Under each leaf are some black/brown spots. I have washed the leaves with soap and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying non-native lichens from Austin February 23, 2013 Can you provide help identifying lichens? If not, can you suggest someone who can? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will native plants become invasive from Grapevine TX February 23, 2013 Main Question - I want to convert my front and back yards into a native plant sanctuary but worry about if these plants growing out of control/invasive and if neighbors will complain about these "wee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bringing Non-native Cannas out of Winter Storage February 15, 2013 Mr. Smarty Plants - Is it possible to force canna tubers? Would placing them on a heating pad help? I am in Ohio - zone 5. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Tree for Austin, TX February 10, 2013 Can you recommend a tall privacy plant similar to the Thuya Green Giant that is suitable to the Austin environment? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree roots under concrete from Ft. Worth TX February 10, 2013 We bought a house that has 2 trees (I believe ornamental pear trees) within a concrete patio. I found info that said basically, remove the concrete. We can't do that now (although I have encouraged... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pride of Barbados seed for Ft. Worth TX February 07, 2013 When can you plant the Pride of Barbados plant seeds and how to go about it in Fort Worth Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hiding a chicken house from Glen Rose TX February 06, 2013 To hide a chicken house, which do you recommend, crape myrtles or chinese photinias? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning pink skullcap and rock daisy from Austin February 06, 2013 I have some pink skullcap and rock daisy and other plants in my yard that never entirely die back over the winter. Can you tell me what kind of pruning is appropriate? How far can/should I cut them ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Cuphea Plants February 04, 2013 The David Verity cuphea (cigar plants) that I planted last spring are now 3-4 feet high. I would like to move them, but before I do they seem to need pruning. All the branches are brown and dry lookin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vegetables to plant now from Marble Falls TX January 28, 2013 What are the best vegetables to plant now? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sweet cherry tree for New Mexico January 23, 2013 What is the best kind of sweet cherry tree to plant in Santa Fe, NM? I have apple, apricot, peach and pear. Would like cherry unless it is a bad idea. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mexican feathergrass from Pflugerville, TX January 23, 2013 How deep are the roots of Nassella tenuissima? I'm looking for something that could possibly discourage my neighbors' bermuda grass from encroaching into my native plantings. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscaping in Avalon TX January 23, 2013 I just bought my first and last home in Avalon Texas. I am looking forward to starting my garden. I am interested in all year around flowers. however I am in the country, when it rains, my yard becom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Water requirements for fruit trees in California January 15, 2013 Dear Sir; In which of these options (fruit trees) the need for watering in irrigation process is higher than the others: -Olive tree -Nectarines and peaches trees -Hazelnut trees -Pistachios and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Red berry that changes the taste of other foods January 15, 2013 Hi, your site is fantastic. I heard from a friend that he tried a red berry in Florida which when eaten change the taste of other foods eaten afterwards. He ate a lemon after trying that berry and th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Protecting a non-native Meyer Lemon from Freezing in Austin January 05, 2013 What is the best way to protect my Meyer Lemon tree from freezing Austin weather? It has been planted in my yard for 1 year and is about 4 feet high View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Indoor plants for El Paso TX January 05, 2013 I want to know what kind of plants will survive indoors in El Paso. It is so dry here, is there anything leafy or flowery that will thrive indoors in this climate? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native avocado trees in Rio Grande Valley from Austin January 05, 2013 I just read the article in the Austin American Statesman about growing avocados outdoors. Don't know if they grow here, but they certainly don't just grow in south Florida. I used to live in Wesla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mexican species Orbexilum melanocarpum. January 04, 2013 This is not a question; just a note to supplement a previous MSP post answering a query about a source for Orbexilum. The "mountain pea" that the original questioner was asking about is the e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing non-native avocado outside from Austin December 27, 2012 My son has a very large avocado tree that he rooted from a pit that is currently growing in a large container. However, it has gotten too big to winter inside. Can it be planted in the ground in Aust... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Japanese privet from Glendale AZ December 26, 2012 We have Japanese privet shrub and they seem to be suffering from a disease, need help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of yellow fruit with many fingers December 24, 2012 This is a yellow lemon smelling fruit with many fingers. Yellow in color. Looks like an octopus. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for oak shade from Whitney TX December 24, 2012 I live in Whitney, Texas and have a number of beautiful Live Oak trees in a portion of my yard providing deep shade. Asian Jasmine grows in about 5 ft circle around them and then nothing! I have walk ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Kalanchoe from Belton SC December 23, 2012 The leaves on a Kalanchoe that we bought from Logee's has leaves starting to curl. It has been this way since I bought it. It is in a south window, it's cold out so I put the plant inside. Besides c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |