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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| topic | question | |
| Does non-native mimosa tree have a tap root from Lubbock TX? July 05, 2010 Does a mimosa tree have a tap root? I would like to plant one next to a concrete driveway to help shade the garage and do not want to cause damage to the driveway in the future. Thank you in advance... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will cattle eat non-native Star Jasmine from Mt. Pleasant TX July 04, 2010 Will cattle eat Star Jasmine if planted on driveway entrance from pasture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ways to eliminate non-native bermuda grass from West Columbia SC July 01, 2010 Could you kill bermuda grass by heavy over-fertilizing it? Or black, solid plastic cloth? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping a new yard in El Paso, TX July 01, 2010 I am starting my back yard, we want to plant some sod grass and shade trees. We were doing some research and came across the Paulownia and the Royal Empress tree. I like them since they grow very fast... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best time to plant non-native Crape Myrtle in Fulshear TX July 01, 2010 When are the best times to plant Crape Myrtles? My husband and I have just moved to Fulshear, TX (just slightly west of Houston) and being summer, I didn't think this was the best planting period. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| New growth on Amur Maple turning black in McPherson, Kansas. June 29, 2010 Re: Amur Maple bushes Approximately 2 yrs old, 4 ft tall. New growth at the end of some branches is turning black. Plants are mulched with grass clippings. We live in Kansas. Thanks for any info.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native smoketree for California City, CA June 28, 2010 I was wondering if you could tell me if it would be a good or bad idea to plant a Smoke Tree (most likely European) in the vicinity of a septic tank. We are looking for something which will provide a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native sedum 'Burrito' sunburned in Providence RI? June 28, 2010 I have a sedum burrito that I keep outside and receives bright sun for around 6 hours a day. it looks like it's getting sunburned, the leaves are getting shriveled and browning on the tips. I've bro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Baby in a manger plant from Rock Hill SC June 28, 2010 I'm looking for the correct name for baby in a manger(It's a plant.) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on non-native globe willow in Las Cruces, NM June 26, 2010 I live in Las Cruces, NM. I have a good size globe willow tree. The leaves are turning yellow and brown dryness at tips and leaves are falling off. Does it just need water? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with non-native sweet vernal grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum June 24, 2010 Hello there Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about growing Anthoxanthum odoratum known as sweet vernal grass. I'm trying to get Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet vernal grass, to grow in my yard becau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insects on non-native euonymus in Lake Orion MI June 23, 2010 I had a greenlane euonymus that had a few flies last year but was infested with thousands this year. We ripped it out, it was an 8 year old plant. Do you know why they are attracted to it now? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lantana in hanging basket not blooming in Dover PA June 23, 2010 We have a lantana Bandana trailing gold in a hanging planter in full sun. It hardly blooms. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Freeze damage to non-native Philodendron selloeum in Deltona FL June 22, 2010 My philodendrons selloeum died this past winter in the freeze,came back slowly this spring and now are suffering with very small deformed leaves. Some do grow but are getting large brown dry areas on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems in non- native weeping willow in Spokane WA June 21, 2010 My wife and I have a weeping willow tree that has done well for two years. This year some of the branches are loosing their leaves in late spring in Spokane, WA. I though it was from the wind but ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Powdery growth in hydrangea in Philadelphia June 20, 2010 My hydrangea plants have a weird growth on their leaves that looks like white rice. It looks like it would be powdery if brushed, but I don't want to touch it for fear that it some type of mold. Any... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating gift plant from flowerbed June 20, 2010 A neighbor gave me cuttings of a lush green plant with a blue flower with a yellow center that is only open in morning. It has become very invasive. I cut it back and dug at least 6-12" deep to get t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insects on hybrid 'Ann' magnolia in Morrow OH June 17, 2010 I have an Ann Magnolia. It is covered in all kinds of stinging insects and flies. This has never happened before. Is this a common problem for the tree? What should I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Another plant with ice plant as the common name from Corpus Christi June 17, 2010 This is not a question, but your "ice plant" answer to El Cajon did not consider Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, which I believe is the common roadside succulent that ate California. God have mercy ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can trimmings from non-native globe willows be planted from Broken Arrow OK? June 13, 2010 We have 2 globe willow trees in our back yard. We trim low hanging branches. Can we take these cut branches, -plant them and have it grow into a new globe willow tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves of non-native crape myrtle browning in Sinton TX June 12, 2010 Crepe myrtle – tips of leaves are brown and curling up. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native blue potato bush in El Dorado Hills CA June 12, 2010 I have two blue potato bush topiary planted in my front porch in a very big planter. It's getting a full afternoon sun. I am wondering why they are losing their leaves??? Am I overwatering them??? Al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting flowers to grow under non-native globe willow in Salt Lake City June 12, 2010 We have a globe willow in our back yard that is about 15 years old and cannot get any flowers to grow under it. Can you recommend what we need to do to treat the soil, and what type of flowers will gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing non-native iceplant in El Cajon CA June 11, 2010 Help! We are clearing fungus dead iceplant on a massive steep bank. Should I avoid replacing it with more iceplant? Would myaporum prostrate be a better option? Fast growing, erosion resistant, zero m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 11, 2010 Dear Mr Smarty Pants.I hope you can help to save my sanity! I am a true believer in using native plantings, having a yard that is 99% native. I hope that fact provides me a little extra credit towar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant called Jesus in a Manger from Florence AL June 10, 2010 Where can I find a plant called "Jesus in a Manger"? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Prairie remnant threatened by non-native Queen Anne's lace in Dallas June 09, 2010 A blackland prairie remnant is being invaded by Queen Ann's Lace. What are the best, least chemical, methods of getting rid of it without damaging the native grasses and wildflowers? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Firecracker plants not growing in Ft. Worth June 09, 2010 I live in Fort Worth, TX and last fall planted several firecracker plants. It's now June and they're not growing. How can I tell if they are still alive? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is non-native Tillandsia air plant poisonous to cats? June 07, 2010 Are Tillandsia/air plants poisonous to cats? Please help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with yellow lantana in Smoaks SC June 05, 2010 My yellow lantanas are about five years old - big and beautiful, but beginning last year, the blooms are small and part of the tiny petals are brown or black. Can you tell me what I can do about this ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native squash plants wilting in Austin May 31, 2010 My squash plants were looking really healthy with only some yellow leaves which I was removing and this morning the plants just seemed to fall over. Lots of wilting and some of the branches are fallin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure to thrive of non-native Confederate Jasmine in Tucson AZ May 27, 2010 My Star/Confederate Jasmine, a 30 foot long wall of it, for over 5 years now has one side of it losing leaves. I seem to remember it did this one other summer, but came back in?? What could be the pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Saving non-native crape myrtles watered with salt water in McAllen TX May 27, 2010 I have a crape myrtle plants that were accidentally watered with salt water from a purifier that was drained. They are dying and turning brown. What can I do to revive them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reference for native critical populations from York, PA May 25, 2010 I have recently read a naysayer of native gardening. He states that native garden plants usually do not have the critical population size to be self-perpetuating. He says that one could better help t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Division of non-native Lamb's Ear plant in Austin May 17, 2010 I have a lambs' ear plant that has gone wild, and I would like to divide and transplant part of the plant. Advice? Live in Austin, TX. 78757 View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can non-native star jasmine attract snakes? May 16, 2010 I have star jasmine climbing up my house. Can it attract snakes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruit trees for Buckeye AZ May 16, 2010 I am moving to Buckeye Az from Utah and would like to know what type of fruit trees I can grow. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with acanthus in Vancouver BC May 16, 2010 My girlfriend's Mom just planted an Acanthus in her garden. In the morning, it apparently stands up tall, but in the evening it bends over until the the leaves are lying in the dirt. She's concerned... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about non-native Epimedium May 15, 2010 What type of barrenwort (Epimedium) will grow well in Central Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating straggler daisy from St. Augustine grass in Hochheim TX May 14, 2010 I have straggler daisy in my St. Augustine grass. What herbicides work well on straggler daisy and won't ding up the grass too bad? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Paulownia tree roots around pool in Austin May 13, 2010 We live in Lakeway (basically Austin) and planted a Paulownia tree in our back yard. It is growing well. However, since we planted it a couple of years ago we have put in an in-ground pool. During th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Freeze problems with non-native weeping willow in Joplin, MO May 13, 2010 My weeping willow had leaves forming and a frost hit and now the tree looks like it is dead. Everything else is in bloom and I don't know if the frost killed my tree or if I need to wait to see if it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should non-native Royal Empress tree be planted in Lawrence MA? May 13, 2010 I am researching the Royal Empress Tree because I want to plant one in my yard in Massachusetts. I wanted to know if the Royal Empress will have rapid reproduction and bring more Empress trees to the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive, non-native Bryophyllum spp. in Austin May 13, 2010 I was given two varieties of what I now believe are 'Mother of Millions' and saw that they're considered a noxious weed in Australia. Are these plants considered dangerous to TX if I keep them in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native fruit trees in Katy TX May 13, 2010 I have several species of fruit trees growing. pear, lime, orange, pluot, plum, variegated orange, peach, lemon all planted in ground, some this year and some last year: My lemon (approx 15 gallon) an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A non-native Japanese Maple for Branchburg NJ May 12, 2010 I am landscaping around my house and am looking for a tree that wont eventually grow too large. I thought maybe a bloodgood Japanese maple. Any suggestions would help View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pine bark on non-native St. Augustine grass in Kingwood TX May 12, 2010 I had two large Pine trees cut down. In the process of cutting the trees down there is a lot of pine bark from the tree on my St Augustine grass. Will this affect the growth of my grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Miscanthus sinensis grass in Lewes DE May 11, 2010 I have morning light ornamental grass, which was just three days ago. The ends of the grass are shriveling up and appear to be dying; why is this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to care for non-native gardenia May 10, 2010 My gardenia is about 20 years old about 5 feet tall and for the first time is leggy looking this year, not too many leaves and they don't look real healthy. Do I need to cut it back some. Last year... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of non-native invasive ground ivy in Grand Junction TN May 08, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I live in the Southwest portion of TN about 50 miles east of Memphis. We have an invasive plant, called Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea L in our yard and pasture now which is ta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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