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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| Problems with non-native Potato vine from Morgan Hill CA June 13, 2011 Greetings from Morgan Hill. CA. I have moved into a home that has a fairly mature (10 years +/-) Potato Tree which has some blue/purple flowers but very few new leaves, it looks almost barren. It gets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Finicky Trumpet Vine in Stockdale Texas June 06, 2011 I need help dealing with a very old trumpet vine. It was my grandmothers and she died in 79. It's always been beautiful till 99 when my grandmothers house burned down. It was right behind it. It cam... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| No Grapes on Vines in Sonora, CA May 31, 2011 We have lived in our home since 2002 and have a grapevine that grows beautiful green lush leaves and vines every year but never has produced grapes. What can I do to get some grapes on this vine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Carolina Jasmine failing to turn green in Pleasant Garden NC April 26, 2011 We planted Carolina Jasmine last year and it did great. This Spring we only have about 2-3 small green leaves beginning on the vines. We did not cut them back in the Fall. Is it time for them to be tu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen vine for trellis in Fredricksburg, Texas March 27, 2011 Hello, and thank you so much for this service. I am looking for a non-deciduous vine to plant on the east side of my house. I have already put in a trellis, now I need to know what to plant on it. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-flowering deciduous vine for Phoenix AZ March 27, 2011 Are there any non-flowering deciduous vines native to the Southwest? I'd like to plant them to shade our windows in the hot Phoenix summers. If only perennials are available, can I cut it back each w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with purple passion flower from DeKalb TX March 27, 2011 Yes my purple passion plant, is pretty but there is a piece of it that's all limp, what do I need to do to revive it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A vine to atract hummingbirds in MO March 08, 2011 I am looking for a non invasive vine to plant on a trellis near buildings/brick patio to attract hummingbirds (and other birds and butterflies). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine with edible nut in Chattooga County, Georgia March 01, 2011 From an email to this Master Gardener- The lady said when she was young her grandmother had a vine that grew along ground that produced small edible nut. As kids they called them chew-chews. Any idea ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to tumble over a retaining wall in OR February 10, 2011 Please recommend plants that I could use to plant on the ground space above a 4 foot high, 150 foot long unattractive concrete wall that would grow over and down to cover the wall. The area is very sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Should grape vines be covered in winter from San Antonio February 07, 2011 Do I need to cover grape vines in winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery vine in Alberta, Canada February 01, 2011 Recently, I came across a vine (looked like virginia creeper/clematis type base - heavy and woody like) in Calgary, Alta - it was climbing on a metal fence that was approx 4'tall - unfortunately the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of vine with hard brown bulb-shaped fruit January 19, 2011 I was given a brown hard bulb-looking ball with rough tiny dots on it and told it comes from a vine that changes to beautiful colors and these balls hang off the vine. A lady in Houston grows them a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of a small itchy vine in Granbury, Texas December 24, 2010 I am clearing an area near some trees that has never been "domesticated". There is a little itchy vine that grows pretty extensively (not very much top growth, but is all over the place). The smal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a wild vine in East Texas December 17, 2010 Trying to identify a wild vine that grow 15-20 feet up our trees. The leaves are dark, glossy green about 2-3" long. The edges are smooth and elongated. Each leaf is placed to the right and then the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungus Spots on Native Bush Honeysuckle December 03, 2010 My native bush honeysuckle plants that I have along my back fence have leaves that are turning yellow with spots. It appears to be a type of fungus, but not powdery mildew. Any suggestions as to what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native Asian Jasmine in Austin December 02, 2010 I have a large bed in front of the house full of jasmine that was planted by the builder 25 years ago. What suggestions do you have to eliminate it and prepare the bed to plant native flowers and pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for seed for Clematis drummondii in Granbury, TX. November 29, 2010 I am trying to landscape with native Texas plants. I want a Clematis drummondii and have no idea where to get one. I read it grows readily from seeds, but I cannot locate any. Can you help. Also, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine-like plant. November 13, 2010 I have a an odd plant that I bought years ago. It's like a vine. It has hard rubbery like leaves they turn inward and they are green. First a cone like shape grows then the leaves grow. I would like ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine in North Carolina November 11, 2010 How can I send a picture to you of a vine that I can't seem to identify? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of purchased vine November 11, 2010 Hi, I bought a hanging vine plant, and came with no id. The leaves are simple, alternate arrangement, entire margin (smooth edge margin). It has an ashy look, like the green purple sage. The flower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the green pod on a trumpet vine October 23, 2010 I have a Trumpet Vine that bloomed for the first time this year. After the bloom season, I noticed a single pod hanging on the vine about the size of a large green bean. What is the purpose of this ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for a cliff in backyard October 17, 2010 I have a large (25 ft) cliff in my backyard. Its too large to use a retaining wall and occasionally some of the caliche slides down. I'm planning on planting vines at the top and letting them drape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blooming challenges with oakleaf hydrangea and bittersweet vine in KY October 03, 2010 1. I cut back my oak leaf hydrangea last fall and it did not bloom this past year. Problem? 2. I have 3 yr old male/female bittersweet plants growing heartily, but no berries. Problem? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How Will Termite Fumigation Affect a Figvine September 26, 2010 Will a termite fumigation kill a 19 year old figvine that is growing on a stucco house? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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