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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| Are Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels native to the Texas/Mexico Border? July 05, 2012 I'm trying to determine whether Rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel grow around the Texas/Mexican border. Are they native to this region? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas Mountain Laurel oozing sap in Spicewood, TX. July 05, 2012 We have a Texas mountain laurel that seems to be sweating. Oozing sap with no apparent signs of any type of bore holes, or holes made from any birds. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need help with Tulip Tree in Jacksonville,Florida July 03, 2012 I planted a 20 foot tall Tulip Tree last spring. The hole I dug was double the size of what the tree came in. The tree was doing well until we got tropical storm Debby. In the middle of the night t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees & Shrubs for a NY Slope July 03, 2012 Our community has a large steep slope (100'high by at least 600' wide) that is sunny & dry. The builders planted "wild flower seeds" on the slope that is now just weeds. We would like to know what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Location of Alamo fungicide kit from Georgetown TX July 03, 2012 Where can I buy the Alamo fungicide injection kit shown in the oak wilt video? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Time for trimming oaks from Boerne TX July 03, 2012 I want to trim a native red oak but am scared to touch it because I dont want to lose it. It is the primary source of shade in our back yard. Also I want to trim the live oaks and am surrounded with O... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native range of Osage orange tree July 02, 2012 I found a "bois d'arc" or Osage Orange Tree in a San Antonio park. Is this very unusual? I thought they were mainly in East Tx as I had never seen one here before. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Small native trees/shrubs for Corpus Christi, TX July 02, 2012 Which small native trees or tall shrubs would do well in full sun in Corpus Christi for privacy along a fence line? Blooms are a bonus and evergreen is preferred.Searches on the website aren't produc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Foundation plants for Albuquerque. July 01, 2012 Hello, I live in Albuquerque. I am looking for some native/xeric low water usage plants for foundation plants for my home. They will be foundation plants for a two story home that has a large ponde... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| California plants poisonous to dogs from Sacramento July 01, 2012 Found dodonea viscosa purple. Is it poisonous to dogs? Also Gold Star Potentilla. Going drought tolerant and need small trees, shrubs and plants not poisonous to dogs for sun and partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants under an oak tree from Corpus Christi TX June 30, 2012 My project: To grow white turk's cap under an old oak tree I first planted St. Augustine sod this spring because we had many oak suckers around the tree. We mixed new soil and compost, and laid the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Safe grazing for donkeys and goats from Osteen FL June 30, 2012 I am having a very difficult time trying to find shrubs, hedges, plants, flowers, or trees etc. that are safe for donkeys and goats. We live in Zone 9 and have a small farm. I've had to pull every ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Privacy Hedge for Long Island June 29, 2012 I live on Long Island and want a privacy evergreen hedge partial sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree species for a small yard June 29, 2012 I have a small front yard area. Maybe 10' x 15'. It is also elevated. There is a retaining wall about 4 feet high. The builders planted a live oak! I think it is a nightmare waiting to happen as it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| a source for fruitless olive (non-native) trees June 29, 2012 I was given a "mexican olive" several years ago which is doing very well. This one is non-fruiting and I would like to have another that is non-fruiting but cannot find one. Cordia boissieri see... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Goat damage to Arizona Cypress from Palmdale CA June 28, 2012 My goats stripped the bottom branches of my Arizona Cypress. Will they come back and how can I prevent future damage? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Installing limestone walkway around trees from Pflugerville TX June 28, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants:I wish to install a limestone walkway in my front yard, however, there are some roots(~ 1.25 inch) in the designated area. Will this hurt or kill the tree if I cut these away? T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for Socorro NM June 28, 2012 I recently moved from Austin to Socorro, NM. I want to add 2 shade trees to my hot, dry garden. I am considering Arizona Cypress, Live Oak (Quercus Fusiformis - yes, they are native in NM, as well a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| 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 |  | |
| Young oak damaged by falling tree from San Diego TX June 27, 2012 My neighbor's Palo Blanco tree was struck by lightning and fell over our fence and on to a young oak tree in our yard. We waited a few days to see if the neighbor would offer help, but he never did,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plantings for a slope from New Carrollton MD June 27, 2012 My house (Maryland, near DC) sits at the bottom of a south facing slope. The soil is very heavy clay. The grade is about 1:20 for about 100 feet (with a steeper part at the top). Part of the hill is i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy Screen for Reading MA June 27, 2012 Best tree to grow for a privacy screen - Hello, we recently moved into a new house in Reading and have an open area on the side of our house where we can make a privacy screen from our neighbors. Wha... 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 | ||
| Controlling oak suckers in Austin June 24, 2012 We have 2 live oak trees that are sprouting shoots all around the surrounding area. We would like to plant some grass and would like to remedy this first. We have mowed the shoots and still they jus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID of unknown purchased plant from Boise ID June 24, 2012 Hi! I bought a tree that the sales person didnt know what it was. I thought it was a cherry tree and now after about 3-4 yrs I know it is but..How do I know if it is an ornamental tree or real fruit t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Montezuma cypress trees for San Antonio June 23, 2012 Are Montezuma cypress trees good drought tolerant trees for your yard? I live 30 miles south of San Antonio; would this tree be good for this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for 100 gal. pot by pool from Ft. Worth TX June 23, 2012 What North Texas evergreen — or combination of evergreen plants, bushes or trees — could thrive in a huge, 100-gallon clay pot (immovable!) that is situated in full sun year round in an exposed area n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Holly-like groundcover under live oak tree. June 21, 2012 I have looked and looked and cannot identify a wonderful groundcover holly growing in the shade beneath my 100 year old Live Oak here in Austin. I have looked up every possible Ilex variety and am stu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wound in Monterey Oak from Austin June 20, 2012 I have a 10 year old Monterey Oak that has developed a wound that is secreting a white bubbly substance that has attracted all the bugs, like butterfly's , pill bugs, ants, and several others I don'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trimming oaks and elms from New Braunfels TX June 20, 2012 I would like to trim my live oaks and elm trees at the same time, if possible. I think they are American Elms. When is the best time to do this and avoid oak wilt and Dutch elm disease? Should all c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Possible fungal infection of oak trees in Mastic Beach, NY. June 19, 2012 Sir, I have a yard full of HUGE Oaks. The one in question is about 80' tall 48" in diameter at the base. They are all well maintained fed and trimed and elevated every 3 or 4 years. About 4 years a... 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 | ||
| Transplant shock in Chinkapin oak from Copperas Cove TX June 18, 2012 I have a newly planted chinkapin oak, appx 14' tall, in the Copperas Cove TX area. It has done great for the first two weeks. Now the leaves are yellowing (June) and beginning to dry up. I water it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California June 16, 2012 What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you! 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 | ||
| Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL June 10, 2012 I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant rootbound tree now from Kerrville TX June 10, 2012 I purchased a Blanco Crabapple tree. Should I plant it now or wait until Fall? (It is currently rootbound.) Second question: Our Mountain Laurel has a dead trunk and one trunk has already died. I c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| White ash trees with bunched up leaves from Nevada TX June 09, 2012 I have very young white ash trees (3' tall planted this winter) The leaves are crippled not opening up bunched up together and have a white powder. Is this aphids mites or what. Only on one tree. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Butternut blossom time from Milwaukee WI June 08, 2012 When does the butternut tree blossom? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propogating snowbells from Elmendorf TX June 06, 2012 Is it possible to propagate Styrax platanifolius and Halesia diptera from cuttings? If yes, what is the process? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mexican Plum with wilted leaves in Austin, TX. June 06, 2012 I am new to Texas & have a yard with mature mexican plum trees. They are quite beautiful however as summer sets in I notice that the leaves appear "wilted". Is this normal or should I be providing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Overwatering Texas Mountain Laurel from Rosanky TX June 06, 2012 I just read your article in the Statesman about over watering Mt.Laurel. Now I know why my lovely 15 year old tree is dying. We put in new grass this winter and I watered too much. Is there any hop... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Toxicity of catalpa wood? June 05, 2012 Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic? Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Leafing out problems with oaks in Towson MD June 02, 2012 3 native 5-year-old oaks kept old leaves until March and are not leafing by the end of May. The few leaves that have emerged are shriveled. WHAT'S WRONG? 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 | ||
| Concerns about swings on trees in Arboretum from San Marcos June 01, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, We very much enjoyed our visit to the new Arboretum this morning! It is already lovely with native species but will really be something with the additions the Wildflower Cent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small to medium drought-tolerant trees for Southern California June 01, 2012 I am looking for drought tolerant trees to line one side of our 70 foot driveway. We live in Southern California. Currently, we have queen palms, but I would like something more native or drought to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees starting to die in subdivision in Hutto, TX May 31, 2012 I live in Hutto Tx, in a subdivision where everyone has the 2 trees planted in the front yard. My trees have started to die, and I want to find out what kind they are to find a solution View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How close can house be built to live oak from Austin May 30, 2012 We have a healthy 21" live oak tree on our lot and are planning to build a home in Circle C subdivision in southwest austin. The home foundation will be within 15' of the large live oak. Need your h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Poolside tree for Whitehouse TX May 29, 2012 What would you recommend for native shade tree or flowering tree on the north side of a swimming pool in East Texas/Smith County? Trying to avoid too much dropping of flowers, nuts, etc. Looking to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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