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 | |
| Liquid glucose as substitute for sunlight from New York City December 16, 2012 I am curious to find out whether liquid glucose can be poured as water for mung bean plants as substitute for no sunlight. Is the possible? Will a specific amount of glucose need to be used? Can liqui... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Chamaecyparis pisiflora turning brown in Fuqua-Varina NC December 10, 2012 I have a "Soft Serve False Cypress" Chamaecyparis pisifera'Dow Whiting PPAF, that has only been in the ground for 6-7 months. I just noticed that the branches and leaves are starting to die, turni... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Advocacy of non-native plants. December 10, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Instead of asking a question, I would like to comment on the seemingly discouraging tone on growing plants or trees out of their native habitat that I have observed from rea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive mandevilla from Chula Vista CA December 10, 2012 How can I rid my yard of mandevilla that has invaded from my neighbor's yard? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with mature Blue Agave in Kenya December 09, 2012 I have a mature Agave plant and there is a thin black liquid that looks like oil starting to appear on the leaves. The plant plant seems to be dying (from the bottom up). (The plant is a blue Agave an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replanting of non-native Christmas Palm from Sarasota FL November 28, 2012 Do you know of a proven technique to plant a Christmas Palm in a built-in concrete pool deck planter box - using gravel around the soil root ball to delay the root bound condition we just ripped out? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Most invasive, noxious plant in U.S. from New York City. November 26, 2012 I was wondering, what is the most invasive/ noxious plant in the U.S? Thanks in advance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a tree in Florida with bell-shaped red flowers November 23, 2012 A friend in Florida has asked about identification of a tree with a flower none of us have ever seen. It starts with a green pod, then flowers into, what looks to me like a Chinese lantern, or bell. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care for some non-native salvias from Austin November 12, 2012 Mexican bush sage and Salvia "indigo spires" are both blooming in my Austin beds right now. Once they stop blooming and/or frost gets them, could you tell me by how much they should be cut back? R... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Search for non-native Rosa Rugosa for Granbury TX November 12, 2012 I would like to find an old fashioned Rosa Rugosa (non-hybrid) to grow in central Texas. I know I've seen them occasionally when traveling in the central TX area. I want them for their rose hips. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wound from non-native date palm thorn Naples FL November 12, 2012 Was trimming my pygmy date palm when a frond fell and a thorn pierced my rubber gloves and stuck me in the web of skin between my thumb and forefinger. Did not see a broken thorn but area where struc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting a young lilac November 05, 2012 This past spring I planted a hybrid lilac in the ground. The weather here has started to get cold, and much more so at night. Also, the temperatures go from warm to cold and back again as if unsure wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Crows foot plant for Christmas wreaths from Millsboro DE November 04, 2012 I am looking for a plant called crows foot to make wreaths for Christmas. Where do I find this plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ants and garden plants for Austin November 03, 2012 I am needy of companion plants that compliment and work well with the Lantana, Mexican Heather , and in the new beds that I am preparing where I was thinking in part to have passion flower (though is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native, invasive Asiatic Jasmine from Austin October 25, 2012 Is Trachelospermum asiaticum considered a native texas plant? Is there an example growing at the Center that can be viewed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Euphorbia 'Cherokee' leaves drying from Benson AZ October 24, 2012 I have a Euphorbia 'Cherokee' in a pot and has been growing nicely but some of the leaves are turning red and drying up and falling off. Is this normal for this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can lantana be grown in British Columbia from Vernon BC October 20, 2012 Can I grow lantana in Vernon B.C. Canada? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Spots on non-native naval orange trees from Stockton CA October 20, 2012 I have two mature Navel Orange trees. One tree has developed spotty chlorophyl depleted areas that were not on the oranges when they were smaller. In addition, the oranges on both trees are smaller ,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native pomegranate failing to fruit from Highland Village TX October 20, 2012 Last spring I planted a pomegranate tree (type: Wonderful) which is supposed to produce edible fruit. It had 5 or 6 absolutely beautiful blooms, but each of them dropped off and no sign of fruit. Is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A method for killing nandina and ligustrum with herbicide October 19, 2012 Is there an effective herbicide that can be painted on the stumps of Nandina and Wax-leaf ligustrum to keep them from growing back? Thanks so much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing Creeping Fig Suckers October 17, 2012 Help Mr Smarty Plants, I am helping a neighbor remove a creeping fig from her property and want to know if there is any product that will soften, emulsify or remove the remaining sucker roots on the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Hydrilla problems in Tom Bean Lake in Mesquite, TX. October 12, 2012 What is the lifespan of Hydrilla in 30 acre lake at Tom Bean Tx? Does it grow spring thru summer and then hibernate thru winter ?? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are non-native Chinese pistache poisonous to alpacas from Galt CA October 07, 2012 Are Chinese Pistachio trees poisonous to alpacas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lantana failing to bloom from Tampa FL October 04, 2012 I reside in central Florida. I have planted several lantana the orange,red,yellow type. I don't have proper species name. They have been in the ground 3 weeks with 2" of potting soil around root ba... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failing to thrive of non-native rose bushes in Austin September 24, 2012 I live in NW Austin and I have lost one knockout rose bush this summer and it looks like another one is failing. The leaves on a cane turn yellow then brown. I do not see whiteflies or black spots o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |