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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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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Straggler Daisy as a Groundcover in Salado, TX October 30, 2015 I've identified Straggler Daisy or Horseherb as the plant to cover my 20 x 40 partly shady partly sunny lot. Could you provide me with the best method for starting and growing the plant to ensure it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Creekside Groundcover for Upstate New York October 22, 2015 I live in Upstate New York in Rochester. Our winters can have lows of -10 at night at times. I have 1,300 linear feet of creekside land that seniors can view from their homes. Because of the brush, it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Finding a source of Straggler daisy October 14, 2015 I've decided on Straggler daisy but am having trouble finding it. It would be perfect for me. Do I have to wait until next Spring for it to show up? Can it be ordered through a nursery or a landscape... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen for sunny, dry area under a maple in Connecticut October 10, 2015 I have a sloped, very sunny, dry area under a maple. I was wondering if Sweet Fern would be a likely candidate for this area. I would like it to be evergreen and to be able to survive under mounds of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Does Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) compete with turf grasses October 05, 2015 For my yard in central Austin Does horse herb, Calyptocarpus vialis help or damage the growth of native short grasses? The grasses include Curly Mesquite and Blue Gamma planted early in the spring or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting October 04, 2015 I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low Groundcovers for Pennsylvania September 18, 2015 Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a low growing grass or ground cover for an area that is between my neighbors horse fence and mine it is about 2 feet wide 30 ft long. It is impossible to mow and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Groundcover for Shade in Spicewood September 16, 2015 We live in Spicewood area in Austin, TX. Our front yard is yellow almost all summer, I was thinking of replacing lawn with a ground cover which can live on once a week sprinkler and no mowing. Also th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Where to find Horseherb seed August 02, 2015 I would like to purchase some Horseherb seeds. Can you tell me where I can do that? Either locally or on line. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lawn for a Shady & Wet area in Austin, TX July 22, 2015 We have a drainage area that has appeared in our back yard since the neighbors’ homes were built. When we get heavy rains (like this year) all their drainage flows into our back yard and forms a river... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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