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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - January 14, 2011
From: Frisco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Needs Help with Peonies
Answered by: Marilyn Kircus
QUESTION:
With the clay soil in North Texas (Frisco) which variety of peony would thrive and become a reliable bloomer? I do work on amending the soil with expanded shell and compost, but ultimately, we still have a lot of clay. Any suggestions would help. I'm also looking for a dwarf (3 ft or less) encore azalea that would also do well in our area. Any suggestions would help. Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants exists to help people become more successful in growing native plants. We do not answer non-native questions. But here are some places for you to go for help.
Denton County Master Gardeners
Dave's Garden Be sure to check out the various forums and also check out various peonies to see if someone is growing them near you. And split your question into two - one for peonies, and the other for azaelas.
Good luck with your gardening endeavors.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Understory plants for Tuolumne Co., CA
May 14, 2007 - My driveway is lined with purple plum trees. I would like to grow something underneath them. What can I grow that will not harm the root system/health of the trees?
view the full question and answer
Lilies not blooming from Austin
May 03, 2013 - Last December 8, you published a letter in the Statesman that I had written to you regarding Rain Lilies, Oxblood Lilies, and Copper Lilies. The were sprouting in my garage in a bag. You recommended...
view the full question and answer
Mercer Society of Harris County Plant Sale from The Woodlands, TX
March 15, 2011 - Love the Name! Anyway, the Mercer Society of Harris County will be having its annual plant sale late this month and as usual I will be attending. I'm trying to find some tropicals and sub-tropicals...
view the full question and answer
Ecosysystem with pecan at center from Austin
February 21, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I would like to create a native tree guild around a mature pecan. It shares its space with native shrubs and ephemerals but I would like to add a nitrogen fixing plant. I am...
view the full question and answer
Source of Pectis angustifolia from Georgetown TX
December 26, 2012 - You answered an earlier question about Limoncillo (Pectis angustifolia) by saying you had found a source for these seeds in Santa Fe, but the hyperlink was inoperable. I'd like to try to propogate t...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |