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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| topic | question | |
| Controlling mildew on Gaillarida sp. August 11, 2005 Any suggestions for controlling mildew on blanket flower? It's spreading throughout my garden. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants for Mission, TX August 11, 2005 Last week I visited my uncle who is head of a church in Mission, TX. The church owns an empty 2 to 3 acre lot, where they hope to build a school someday. However, that day is at least 10 to 15 years... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Jimsonweed August 07, 2005 White flowers that are seen a lot along hwy 58 east towards Tehachapi; they look like "angel's trumpet" but not sure... they are big, white and have dark green leaves and cluster in a bush..any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Americas national plant August 07, 2005 What is America's national plant? (please answer this a.s.a.p because i can't figure it out and it's for homework) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on dogwoods August 05, 2005 I am interested in the worldwide distribution of the dogwood family/cornus. Specifically, I am interested in whether or not there are indiginous species on the Indian Subcontinent. Is there a resour... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Pittosporum August 05, 2005 Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion. Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of over-watering of Asclepias tuberosa August 05, 2005 Another question about butterfly weeds, the leaves on one of my plants are turning a yellow-red color and the blossoms seem to be dying (drying up) before they can bloom. It is right in the same area... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast growing native trees for Manor,TX August 04, 2005 A friend wants to plant fast-growing trees to disguise a road on ranchland east of Manor, Texas. Any ideas? Many thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Hesperaloe parviflora August 02, 2005 On the home page of this website (right of center) there is a plant with the long stems and pink flowers and with green pods or seeds, also. Could you please tell me the name of this flower? We have ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Tamarisk July 31, 2005 Where can I buy Tamarisk, and will it survive in Massachusetts? I've seen it in Provincetown, on Cape Cod. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deadheading or trimming back of Asclepias spp July 29, 2005 I have some butterfly weeds (flowers) and I have heard conflicting stories as to how to cut them back. Should they be deadheaded to elongate bloom time or does that prevent any seeds from replanting?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Diospyros virginiana July 29, 2005 Diospyros virginiana (common persimmon) is, from what I understand, a host plant for the stunning Luna Moth caterpillar which supposedly can occur this far west. Your database entry for Diospyros do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smarty Plants wild sweet pea July 28, 2005 We were asked if the seed pods of the wild sweet pea are edible. (California) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on wild edible plants July 28, 2005 Do you have classes or information on identifying wild edible plants that could be found in Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Design and installation of trails at Wildflower Center July 24, 2005 I am a Park Commissioner in a city near Austin and am researching a firm to help design a trail system in our park. Would you please tell me who designed and installed the trails at the Wildflower Ce... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on dutchmans pipe July 24, 2005 How do I care for and transplant dutchman pipe? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Texas Madrone July 24, 2005 Hello, where can one acquire the Texas Madrone for planting? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Alkalinity-tolerant grasses July 24, 2005 Dear Sirs - Are you aware of any grass species that could survive in strongly alkaline soils (ph from 10 up to 12) Thanks a lot. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bulbils on Turks cap lily July 21, 2005 My Turks cap lily has dark pea size growths at the bass of each leaf. Are these the seeds? How and when do I harvest seeds from this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on mulch and organic material July 20, 2005 I live near Canyon Lake, just north of San Antonio in a new subdivision. I call on you for advice, as I have attended several classes there and hope you can help. Several areas on our property and nei... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sources of seeds for Cudweed Sagewort and Artemisia ludoviciana July 20, 2005 Where can a person buy seeds for Cudweed Sagewort. Artemisia ludoviciana? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Delay in fruiting of Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana) July 20, 2005 Dear experts, My wife and i are members of your fine organization. Several years ago we bought four things at a spring plant sale for an understory spot in our yard. The Possumhaw Holly, American ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on water-absorbing plants July 19, 2005 I am looking for water-absorbing plants for L.A. zone. I am hoping this type of vegetation would ease the water retention problem at the planter right next to my basement. Is this a feasible solutio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native calla lilies July 15, 2005 How should I protect my calla lilies during the winter? If it helps you any, I live in South Carolina. And also will too much water hurt them? We have had massive amounts of rain. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Host plants to monarch butterflies in Starr County, TX July 14, 2005 I plant native larval and nectar plants that support the life cycle of the monarch butterfly here in the east; but, where can I find a list of native plants for my friends in the Tamaulipan Biotic P... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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