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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| Putting in native grass in June in Manor TX May 31, 2012 We are moving into a new-built house in the middle of June. We opted to not have them put in Bermuda grass as we wanted to seed a native mix. From my understanding, mid June will be too late to start ... 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 |  | |
| When can native wildflower mix seeds be planted from Rosenberg TX May 30, 2012 I received a package of "All Native Wildflower Mix". The package says plant in Spring. Is too late to plant now or should I wait for next March? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD May 28, 2012 Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need an evergreen flowering vine to cover a fence in Houston, TX. May 28, 2012 Looking for an evergreen flowering vine to cover my fence. caveat? one part of the fence is within 5 feet from the air conditioning unit which blows a lot of hot air, the area takes a day or two to dr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oak trees shedding leaves in Denton TX May 27, 2012 In Denton, TX we have two mature Quercus buckleyi. It is May 11th 2012 and one of these trees has been shedding green leaves for the last week. The only changes we have made are: planted English ivy... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yellow in pin oak leaves from Allen TX May 25, 2012 I have two pin oaks and one is completely yellow - a sign of iron deficiency and the other is starting to turn completely yellow as well. I've a proposal for iron deficiency but it is quite expensiv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need options for smaller trees in neighborhoods in Austin, TX. May 25, 2012 Please discuss smaller tree options for typical Austin neighborhood yards. These houses are built close together on the sides, and only have smallish back yards. They just don't have space for big 50... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shade trees for Tucson AZ May 25, 2012 I need to plant some "fast growing" trees or shrubs on my southwest yard in order to reduce the heat in my bedroom. What do you suggest? I live in Tucson, Arizona. Thank you in advance. I'm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Huisaches in pots from Houston TX May 20, 2012 I have special (and probably weird) affinity to huisaches (acacia farnesiana). As a child I used to admire the three that elegantly guarded our backyard looking almost like fingers reaching for the s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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