Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - October 22, 2009
From: Oak Hill, OH
Region: Midwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Replacing firs with smaller plants
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I want to pull out old fir bushes and plant smaller plants in their place. What could I buy that would take little care in my area?ANSWER:
In order to properly answer your question, we need more information. What kind of firs are they? How big are they? Where are they planted ... sun, shade, wet or dry conditions? Are they foundation plants or overgrown shrubs in a border? You also do not mention if it is imperative that they be evergreen.
By doing a Recommended Species search on our Native Plant Information Network you will be able to select the plants yourself. A reputable nursery in your area would also be happy to assist you. There are a few nurseries in Ohio who are Associates of the Wildflower Center and will be able to provide more appropriate plants for your project than the "Big Box" nurseries.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Will Copper Canyon Daisy be at the Plant Sale from Georgetown TX
March 21, 2011 - Can you find out if Copper Canyon Daisy will be sold at the plant sale? I'm having trouble finding it in any of your databases. The scientific name is Asteraceae Tagetes lemmonii. It's a shrubby ...
view the full question and answer
Mixed non-native sod in El Paso, TX
May 19, 2010 - Hello,
My family and I just finished laying sod in our backyard. We thought we could save some money by buying scraps from a sod farm nearby. It never dawned on us to ask if the sod we were buying w...
view the full question and answer
Availability of Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) for Central Texas
March 26, 2007 - I'd like to buy a flowering dogwood tree. Love the fall berries and spring flowers. I haven't had been able to find them at the nurseries I frequent (Great Outdoors, Natural Gardener, Breed, Barton ...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower seed sources for Collinsia verna.
June 29, 2009 - Hello,
I am looking for seeds of Collinsia verna to plant in my woodland wildflower garden. I live in NC, a bit out of the native range, so don't have immediate access to native seeds. Do you kno...
view the full question and answer
Source of seeds for Penstemon murrayanus
April 20, 2005 - Is it possible to obtain seeds of Penstemon murrayanus? I'd like to contribute to the propagation of this threatened species.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |