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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| Low plants for shady, damp area in Roanoke, TX November 13, 2008 First, thanks for answering my first question about Texas Native Trees for our new home! I have just started working on plans for our back yard and have a question about Texas Native Shade plants. W... 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 | ||
| Shade tolerant plant for Rodeo, California November 02, 2008 I live in Rodeo, California and I need to know what is a good green plant I can get to place in a shady area View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for shade east windows from sun in Abilene, TX October 25, 2008 We need a tree(s) to plant in front of four east windows (20 feet space) to shade our breakfast room from the early morning sun. We have shades but need a bit more protection. I do not wish to shade... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to control erosion in shade in California October 06, 2008 I need plants that will help prevent soil erosion on a sloping area under a wood fence. The area has filtered light. thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grass for shade under Post Oaks in Austin October 04, 2008 Can you recommend a water conserving grass for shade under Post Oaks in Austin. Very gravelly poor nutrient soil. thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grasses for shady area with sandy soil September 23, 2008 We have very sandy soil, is there any type of grass that will grow well. Also, very shady. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shade in New Jersey September 21, 2008 hi ,i live in rahway nj and i was wondering what are good plant and shrubs to plant for this area. we are doing all new landscaping and we have alot of shade areas. we like the ornamental grasses but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for area shaded by crabapple in Philadelphia September 19, 2008 Can you recommend native plants about 4' tall to plant under a crabapple in the corner of a yard in front of a fence? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hanging flowering plants in part shade in Denton, TX September 18, 2008 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I'd like to hang 4"-6" pots with flowering plants from north-facing eaves. That area gets an hour or so of late-morning/noon sun. Also, my apt. faces a large courtyard so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shade in Texas September 14, 2008 I am looking for shade tolerant shrubs to plant near our carport. We live in Plum Grove, near Splendora, Texas. I don't want anything with thorns that will scratch the paint or me while getting i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shade in Pennsylvania September 13, 2008 i would like to plant a small area in my rear yard, that is full shade in the summer (when the trees are full with leaves) and part shade in early spring. i live on a state park - there are plenty of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ornamental plants for under live oaks September 08, 2008 What ornamental plant will do well under Live Oak trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native evergreen for shade August 28, 2008 Hi, I am looking for a plant that is evergreen (or semi evergreen), native to central Texas, and shade tolerant. This is for a Wildscape area in San Marcos. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native groundcovers for bare, shady space in Oklahoma August 22, 2008 I have recently acquired a new residence that has very little lawn to speak of. The backyard is in an unfortunate position to catch significant amounts of rainwater from nearby yards, and is sloped. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for xeriscape and shade August 20, 2008 I live in Jones county, Texas. I would like to xeriscape portions of my lawn. The soil is sandy, I have a lot of shaded lawn area. What plants do you recommend that would be low maintenace, low water ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for shade August 19, 2008 I live in hot, humid Houston and the tree coverage of my yard is nearly 100 percent (so, little sunlight reaches the ground). Can you suggest a plant or two that would thrive in these conditions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Japanese maple in New York August 15, 2008 I have a few questions: Do you know what zone Brooklyn, NY. is in? If I plant a Japanese Maple in my backyard, do you think it can tolerate almost full shade (1-2 hours of sun per day)? Also, is it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants August 15, 2008 Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant called cow shade or cow weed that is poisonous July 25, 2008 There is a plant called cow shade or cow weed, not exactly sure. It kills whitetail deer. I would like to know the name of the plant and the specifics. If you could help me it would be greatly appreci... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine for shade on west side in Texas July 21, 2008 I have just put in a trellis to cover the west side of my house for shade. What would be the best native vine to put their for quick growth. I plan on putting a rose (Fortunia) but can't do that till... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Part shade garden to attract hummingbirds in Texas July 14, 2008 We are inexperienced gardeners. We have a bed (2.5' x 6') with sun in the morning and shade in afternoon and want to attract hummingbirds. Salvia coccinea sounds easy, but what else could we plant... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Darkened leaves on blueberry bush July 02, 2008 I have a blueberry bush planted in a very large pot. It has been doing very well, producing berries and new growth. All of a sudden the leaves have begun to turn dark. I have it potted in good soil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native grasses for bare shady spot in Austin July 01, 2008 My back yard is shady from old Arizona Ash trees. What native grasses can I plant in bare areas caused by my dog? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-blooming crape myrtle in Italy, TX June 25, 2008 It's Italy, TX, again! Thanks for the advice and links, and I'll study those..but here's where I'm stumped on crape myrtle. I have two (almost) trees because they've been planted over 15 years ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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