Native Plants
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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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| topic | question | |
| Propagation of myrtle in Wapperger Falls, NY September 01, 2009 How do you propagate myrtle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting azalea sprouts in St Louis MO August 27, 2009 I have an azalea bush that I cut back severely 2 years ago and unwittingly started 3 or 4 new bushes when some limbs grew back along the ground and created their own roots. I'd like to separate them... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Volunteer wax myrtles in Tuscaloosa, AL August 26, 2009 I have Wax Myrtles growing in my front yard. I have noticed that some shrubs have sprouted in my back yard that have leaves that are exactly like my wax myrtles. Can Wax Myrtles sprout from seed or h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting adventitious shoots of a mountain laurel in San Antonio August 20, 2009 Is it possible to transplant branches (shoots) growing from a mountain laurel that was chopped down? Some are two years old and several feet tall (but not yet blooming) and some as small as a foot. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deadheading Asclepias tuberosa in Fishers IN August 19, 2009 My Asclepias tuberosa plants are flowering well in their second year and also have formed many seed pods. Since I don't need the seeds, will they bloom more if I remove them or is it unnecessary? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming prairie coneflower for lower height when blooming in Hampshire IL August 16, 2009 Can the prairie coneflower, Ratibida Columnifera, be cut by half or some amount before setting flower buds to force the plant to bloom at a shorter height? If not, when is the best time to dig and tra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Sideroxylon lanuginosum in Austin August 12, 2009 I have a tall (30-40 ft) Sideroxylon lanuginosum in my backyard. Last fall hundreds of saplings popped up in my yard following runners from the tall tree. I would like to keep a few of these sapling... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Century Plant in St. Petersburg FL August 09, 2009 CENTURY PLANT PROPAGATION View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Prunus Mexicana in Rusk TX July 29, 2009 How do you scarify seeds from the Prunus Mexicana? Can the branches be made to grow roots? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplanting or seeding Indian paintbrush in Bend OR July 21, 2009 I would like to know whether I can transplant native Indian paintbrush plants into my landscaping, or do I need to try and grow them from seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas. July 21, 2009 How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Save and store pigeonberry seeds from Austin July 20, 2009 What is the best way to save and store pigeonberry seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Separate pups on Manfreda variegata in Tucson July 20, 2009 Can you tell me the best way to separate pups on a Manfreda variegata? The first ones we tried were very close to the main plant. Your help is appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of redbuds from shoots in St. Louis MO July 17, 2009 I have a beautiful, healthy old redbud tree that I love. Every year, I find baby redbud trees rooted all over my yard, Since they are deep, I can't seem to dig them out so I simply cut them down to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting sparkleberry trees in Southport NC July 07, 2009 I am interested in transplanting some sparkleberry trees to my yard. It is on the Cape Fear River and it would have full sun for a large part of the day. When would be a good time to transplant the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating suckers from roots of Moraine locust in Hilliard, OH July 07, 2009 We removed a large Moraine Locust tree and also the stump. Now little trees from the roots are coming up. How do we get rid of these so something else can be planted? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hand pollinating watermelon grown indoors in Denver July 06, 2009 Hi! I'm growing watermelon indoors and I was wondering if I had to self pollinate it? Their flowers just started blooming! If so, how do I go about doing this? Thank you so much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dividing blackeyed susans in Lake Ronkoko NY July 06, 2009 How are you supposed to divide blackeyed susan's? And when is the best time to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How does Graptopetalum filiferum produce seeds? June 22, 2009 Hi I have a Graptopetalum filiferum. I found a seed on top of one of the plants and it resembles something like a cantelope melon seed-about 1/3" long, orange. Do these succulents produce seeds i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Redbud tree propagated from root sprouts in Greenwood IN June 20, 2009 Our Red Bud tree broke down to ground level and before we dug up the root several new sprouts have started growing out of it and all around the perimeter(they are approx. 4" high). My question is, c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How close to a male tree will a new female persimmon need to be planted to ensure pollination in Austin, TX? June 17, 2009 I have a male Texas Persimmon in the back corner of my yard. I would like to plant a female Texas Persimmon in the front yard, more than 100 feet away? How far away do you think they should be place... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blazing stars plants in Sanderson, FL June 15, 2009 I planted some blazing stars & they did not come up.What is the best way to start them out? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to propagate milkweed from root cuttings June 08, 2009 I am interested in propagating Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed). Your info page for this species says it can be propagated via root cuttings. Does this mean I can lop off a chunk of the root/tuber ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Field of Dreams June 07, 2009 I planted a field of sunflowers in April. I transplanted some of the crowded plants to different rows in mid-May - no problems. I have tried to transplant some of the plants this first week of June ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pollination by dwarf yaupons of normal size selections in Gadsden AL May 31, 2009 Can dwarf varieties of male yaupons be used to pollinate non dwarf female yaupons? Specific males in question are Shillings (Stokes Dwarf) yaupon and Bordeaux Condeaux. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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