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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| Plants for under non-native fruitless mullberry trees from Ft. Worth TX June 28, 2012 I live in Tarrant county, where summer droughts are the norm. I have a 150x50 foot swathe of mature "fruitless mulberry" trees, which create a very shady atmosphere. The soil is clay dominated, ro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Distinguishing non-native Wisteria from Austin June 25, 2012 How do I distinguish a native wisteria from a non-native wisteria? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yellowing leaves on non-native jasmine from Austin June 25, 2012 Hi, I have a mature jasmine plant in the ground in a very sunny courtyard which gets watered daily. The lower leaves are turning yellow and am wondering if this is too much water for it. The top lea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native bougainvillea from Austin June 25, 2012 Bougainvillea isn't a native, but since they are so prevalent here, I hope you can help. I have three, one established in-the-ground, which is pruned almost to the ground every winter; two new this y... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bluebonnets for Shanghai June 25, 2012 I am a Texas native that now lives in Shanghai, and I am trying to grow a little piece of home (Texas bluebonnets) indoors, and I was wondering: a. Do you have any ideal soil recipes that bluebonne... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Splitting bark on non-native mimosa from Buda TX June 24, 2012 What would cause my Mimosa tree to have splitting bark. I've only lived in this house for 8 months and am learning about this tree. The other tree seems fine. It looks as though it split and then ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native hybrid hydrangea from Traverse City, MI June 24, 2012 We just planted some new Hydrangea (Summer Beauty) that we bought at a local nursery. The plants are about 3' tall with blooms on the stalks. The blooms appear to be top-heavy as most all the stalks ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Information on non-native caladiums from Austin June 21, 2012 Have you a leaflet on growing caladiums in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Philadelphus Innocence mock orange from Paris TX June 20, 2012 What is the best place in the garden to grow Philadelphus Innocence mock orange in Paris, Tx? Also, how long after transplanting do flowers occur? Any tips appreciated View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Graywater with soap on trees and shrubs from Austin June 18, 2012 I previously asked you about using rinse water from our top loading washer to water trees and flowers. I have two more questions: Can I use the soapy water to water trees and shrubs? Then I get... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native vines poisonous to animals from Park Ridge IL June 18, 2012 I have a Star Jasmine and sambac Philipine Jasmine Plant . Are they poisonous to cats or dogs. I have them in the house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native parsley from Brooklyn NY June 17, 2012 Had beautiful flat leaf parsley plants recently turn yellow & die. Found black armadillo like bugs bored throughout the roots. Now they're spreading. How do I kill them without contaminating the pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native invasive Siebold viburnum from Isleboro ME June 17, 2012 I was given several small Siebold Viburnum for planting on my Maine property. Even though it is often for sale in nurseries, I'm aware it is listed as invasive in several eastern states. Shouldn't I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native yellow lantana from Elgin TX June 17, 2012 Why do my yellow lantana buds turn brown and do not open fully? The sprinkler system does not spray onto the lantana. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native Genista racemosa from Houston June 17, 2012 Read your info on Genista Racemosa. Doesn't address my problem of it not blooming this year. It's in full sun and growing well, about 30" tall & round. Bloomed last year. We're feeding with ba... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Saving non-native sempervivum from accidental weed killer application from Nashville TN June 15, 2012 How to save a 'Live Forever' plant that had weed killer put on it by mistake. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant shock in non-native crape myrtle from Wesley Chapel, FL June 12, 2012 I just bought a 12 ft. crape myrtle and planted it, giving it plenty of water I think. After 3 days the leaves are wilting and flowers are falling off. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Sago Palm from Bulverde TX June 12, 2012 My husband's job has taken him out of state and he left me in charge of his 27 year old sago palms, (house plants, sort of bonsai). They waited until he left and then quite perversely sprouted 3 foo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible non-native squash and gourd cross from Kyle TX June 10, 2012 Last year I gathered seeds from the yellow squash plants that were grown from a seed packet (hybrid, I assume). Well, now the fruit produced by those plants seems to be a cross between a yellow squash... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine Choices Scarce in Beaverton Oregon June 08, 2012 Hi, I am looking for a hearty vine that we could use to cling to and cover a cement wall that is about 8 feet tall and 30 feet long. It is on the south side of our house but never gets direct sunli... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with orange sap that glows at night June 06, 2012 I was just pulling up a plant and noticed that its sap was a kind of orange then I noticed it glowing orange at night. What kind of plant is this and is it dangerous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Repotting non-native Agave ghiesbreghtii from Spring TX June 03, 2012 I've recently purchased an Agave ghiesbreghtii, and will need to re-pot it soon. I have some cactus soil mix as well as a few rocks to put in the bottom of its new pot. There seem to be roots comi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Eugenia in Scottsdale AZ June 02, 2012 I have 5 eugenia topiaries in my courtyard in pots..I notice as the days here in Phoenix get hotter and dry (as usual) they are starting to look bad, even though they are under a shelter out of the di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID June 02, 2012 Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dandelions in bluebonnets in Bastrop TX May 31, 2012 I have a 20'x60' front yard area where I planted bluebonnets. It has become horrifically inundated with dandelions. How do I eradicate the dandelions while preserving the bluebonnets ? Thanks ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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