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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| topic | question | |
| Mulberry sap in the bloodstream from Kansas City November 13, 2010 What affect does mulberry sap have if put in contact with the blood stream? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Competition for sun between non-native loquat and Carolina laurel cherry in San Antonio October 27, 2010 I have planted 2 Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)along my north side fence. I just learned my neighbor has planted a Loquat tree on the other side of the north facing fence. He told me that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mulching Spring Bulbs in Upstate NY October 25, 2010 Just planted tulip bulbs for Spring. The Parks Department then put 4 inches of mulch on top. Will the tulips be able to get through and bloom come Spring? Is mulch a good winterizer for them? Indoor c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Magnolia and non-native weeping willow competing in Annapolis October 19, 2010 We planted a sweetbay magnolia next to a Weeping Willow in our yard and did not anticipate the willow would grow so quickly and into the magnolia. We have had the magnolia now for 3 years, and it is c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native tropical Hibiscus rosa sinensis in Clinton Township MI October 18, 2010 Do I have to bring a painted lady hibiscus tree in for the winter? We planted it in the ground and it did great this summer, but I do not know if we have to put it in a pot and bring it in for the wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native begonias not blooming in Round Rock, TX October 13, 2010 My angel wing begonias won't bloom. I feed them with fish emulsion. What is the problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need advice on Angel Wing Begonia in Round Rock, Texas October 13, 2010 My Angel Wing Begonia seem hardy and healthy; I keep them in bright, indirect light and feed them periodically with diluted fish emulsion. I keep them dry as opposed to moist. But they don't bloom. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of non-native Jerusalem Sage from Marble Falls, TX October 11, 2010 What is the best way to propagate Jerusalem Sage? I've located a plant and I want to get some going. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will the non-native tamarind tree survive in Austin? October 11, 2010 We live in the Texas Hill Country and we were given a Tamarind Tree as a gift (which the givers thought was a Pride of Barbados). Is it advisable to plant this in the ground, since it is sensitive to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why won't my Jacaranda flower in Oviedo, FL? October 06, 2010 I have a Jacaranda tree that is 12 years old and and nearly 30 feet tall. It is a beautiful healthy tree that has never produced flowers. How can I get my tree to bloom? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive, non-native Cherokee rose in Elgin TX September 24, 2010 We have property in Elgin, TX in Bastrop county which has the red sandydirt-loam. The original owners from the 30's, must have liked the Cherokee rose. The problem is that it is planted around our ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native invasive Asian jasmine in greenbelt in Austin September 22, 2010 How can I convince the people that live next to me to control their Asian jasmine? We have a small greenbelt owned by the City behind our houses and they have let it grow until it is ruining the gree... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tecoma stans problems in Santa Monica CA September 20, 2010 I just purchased a mature 6ft tall potted Tecoma Stance Vine (Honeysuckle), It is placed in an area where it gets at least 3 to 4 hours morning/early afternoon sun and then a shaded sun for the rest o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native upside down tomatoes in Edmonton AB September 19, 2010 Due to early frost, I have brought my upside down tomato plant into the house & have hung it in the basement. What type of grow lamp can I use? I just have the overhead light & standard lamps at my di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dying branches on non-native buddleias in Horseshoe Bend TX September 19, 2010 Our Black Knight buddleias are developing branches that die. The leaves just turn brown and the whole branch dies then another and finally the whole plant dies. Do you know what could be causing this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wintering of non- native jasmine in Newton KS September 18, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I received a gorgeous jasmine for mothers day and I planted it in my front yard in the flower area close to the house. Can I keep it there all winter or do I need to dig it up a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the correct genus name for Fringe flower in North Myrtle Beach, SC? September 14, 2010 Is it Laura Pedlum or lorapetalum? I saw this shrub last week, and finally found a picture of it. The search engine listed about three different names for it! So what is the correct name, and does i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Meyer lemon not bearing fruit in Austin September 13, 2010 I have had a meyer lemon for 9 years and it has never produced fruit. What do I do? It has beautiful leaves and thorns but no fruit. Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting non-native peach seed from Archdale NC September 13, 2010 Planting and watering peach seeds. Can you give advice for my 12 year old who has recently planted some peach seeds in our yard in Archdale NC? Is the fall okay for planting? Watering instructions? I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Legal to kill non-native invasive fig ivy in Carmichael CA September 05, 2010 Is it legal to spray round-up on invasive fig ivy from my neighbor's yard? Will we be responsible for killing his plant? He refuses to install a barrier between us or discuss a remedy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What about Asian Jasmine and scrub oaks? September 01, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have several clusters of native scrub oaks in my yard. I planted Asian jasmine under them many years ago. The trees look fine, but an arborist has told me that the Asian ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native tomato plant in Austin August 30, 2010 I have an upside-down tomato plant, started on July 4. For several weeks there have been 7 green tomatoes, with no further growth or ripening,despite daily watering. Am I doing something wrong? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen non-native herbs for Bastrop TX August 26, 2010 I'm looking for evergreen herbs for Bastrop Texas. I planted an herb garden in the spring of 2009, but mostly all of them died in the winter. Rosemary, Tarragon and Sage made it. thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Sorbaria sorbifolia (false spiraea) August 24, 2010 I have 2 Sorbaria sorbifolia (false spiraea) that will not flower. This is their third summer. What should I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Willow woes in Philadelphia, NY August 22, 2010 I have a 2 yr old willow; it is August and it looks like the tree has gone dormant, is this normal? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting non-native yellow lantana in Emerald Isle, NC August 22, 2010 We live in Emerald Isle, NC. Can we transplant yellow lantana? It is not really a perennial but appears to be one at the coast. If so, when do you transplant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Seeds for India from Guilderland NY August 15, 2010 I have Green Cross “Non Profitable” trust in TamilNadu India. We are looking for free seeds from Government and other NGO foundations. Moto: Global Vowing awareness program and our volunteers help ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves on non-native Chinese pistashe tree yellowing in San Antonio TX August 11, 2010 My chinese pistashe tree leaves are turning yellow. The tree is about 25 years old. the last time it did this I applied some iron granules into the ground around it. However I have forgotten how mu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Coconut palms and Christmas palms in Merritt Island, FL August 10, 2010 Last winter the coconut and Christmas Palms all suffered. I have coconuts to plant, but can't get them to put forth a sprout, and eventually grow into a tree. I have put some in the ground half-way.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bark splitting on non-native Royal Poinciana in tree in Merritt Island FL August 10, 2010 Information on splitting bark along the branches like an overstuffed sausage: A royal Poinciana tree, about 5 years old. The upper branches are doing this, although I'm afraid little splits or tear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting non-native mimosas in Braintree MA August 10, 2010 I want to transplant some baby mimosa trees. Have tried in past and they just die. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is non-native Japanese Blueberry tree fruit poisonous to cats and dogs from Houston August 09, 2010 Are Japanese Blueberry Tree fruit poisonous? I have dogs and cats and I was concerned if they ate them. I also live in the Houston, TX area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native chocolate mimosa in Levittown NY August 09, 2010 I purchased about 2 ft chocolate mimosa tree in early June of this year from a local nursery located in Nassau County, New York. It was doing in our Long Island soil just fine for over a month, I woul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Japanese maple seedling in Rotterdam NY August 09, 2010 In the first couple days of August, I discovered a baby Japanese Maple growing against the wall of my storage shed, a short distance from a neighbor's full grown Japanese Maple. I transplanted this 5... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need some help with a Plumbago plant in Mission, TX. August 06, 2010 Hello..I live in south South Texas and have a plumbago. It gets about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun and lately some of the branches and leaves turn bright green almost yellow. Am I over watering or is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Maytens tree in Saratoga, CA August 05, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, My friend's Mayten tree (green spray)leaves are yellowing and we don't know if it is under-watered (surrounded by grass and fed with a time sprinkler for 20 min. maybe 2 or ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will non-native gazania bloom in winter? August 03, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am quite familiar with Gazania and l-o-v-e it as a summer plant. My question is: while I know it may/will survive the winters here, will it actually be blooming during the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native lavendar to repel scorpions in Austin August 02, 2010 We are having a problem with scorpions in our home. A lot of them. I have heard that lavender around the doorways and windowsills will keep them out. Is this true? If so..what form? Certain species, l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are our Euphorbia myrsinites plants dying in Soquel, CA? August 02, 2010 Some of our Euphorbia myrsinites die in our garden for reasons we cannot understand. Do you have any explanation or suggest area we should be looking for? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native strawberry tree dying in Mt. View CA August 01, 2010 My strawberry tree has brown leaves and is dying, what can I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Japanese lilac trees in Lehi UT July 31, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, We live in Utah and this past spring planted three Japanese Lilac Trees in the lawn next to the deck hoping they would one day provide some shade. They are planted in full sun ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proper deadheading of non-natives Arabian Jasmine and Crape myrtle from Las Vegas July 23, 2010 Advise please on proper deadheading of Arabian Jasmine, and of Crape Myrtle. They are both blooming great but I want to know once the petals fall should I deadhead and will it help them to bloom agai... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suckers on non-native crape myrtle in Bay Point CA July 22, 2010 How can I stop suckers on a Crepe Myrtle tree? I have bought sucker stopper in the past, but find it hard to locate now. Is there something else I can spray or paint on the base of the tree to stop ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native hybrid willows dropping leaves in Downey CA July 22, 2010 I have 1 year old Hybrid Willows that are strong and 12 feet tall, with many branches. All of a sudden they are dropping their leaves in July. I got them for fast growing shade, now the branches are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to bloom of lantanas in San Antonio July 22, 2010 Mr. Smarty Plants, We have lantanas in our front yard. This summer the leaves have turned white and they die to a brown color all the while the leaves are "crispy". At the beginning of the season... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pollination of non-native cucumber plants in Austin July 15, 2010 I have 3 cucumber plants that are in planter boxes hanging from my wrought iron fence and they use it as a trellis. All 3 plants are producing only female flowers. No male. None of them have produc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native bermudagrass dying under non-native globe willow in Granbury TX July 14, 2010 We have a beautiful globe willow in our back yard with bermuda grass. All the grass is thinning out or dying under the tree. What can we do, is there another glass we could use that blends well with... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer for non-native Althea in West Monroe LA July 12, 2010 What type of fertilizer is best for Althea Bushes View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native herbs being burned by pool chlorine in St. Petersburg, FL July 11, 2010 My herb garden is next to my swimming pool, which is serviced by a company using chlorine. I have found that on the two unsuccessful attempt to establish my herb garden, the herbs burn off after the p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to replace hydrangeas in a wet area in New York July 09, 2010 Dear Smarty, Two years ago I planted 4 Endless Summer Hydrangas in front of the front porch of my summer cottage on Saratoga Lake. The first year they struggled the second they are limp. Can you give... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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