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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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.
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Adapting to clay soils in British Columbia April 11, 2006 What can I use to break down the clay content in my flower bed. It has a high concentration of clay and I want to plant treat it so I can plant flowers in it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plants harmed by chipped spruce and evergreens for mulch in Colorado February 26, 2006 What plants would be harmed by using chipped Spruce and evergreens for mulch? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Landscaping with native plants in Austin October 06, 2005 I'm expanding a flower bed in front of my house and would like to keep it all natives. 1) How do I find out what type of soil I should add? (I live near Hyde Park, Austin and haven't had a soil te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Apartment Landscaping September 13, 2005 I live in an apartment and have a small patch filled with rocks and an ugly plant I don't know the name of. I want to take out the existing plants and put something else in. It has to be hearty,low m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on mulch and organic material July 20, 2005 I live near Canyon Lake, just north of San Antonio in a new subdivision. I call on you for advice, as I have attended several classes there and hope you can help. Several areas on our property and nei... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possibility of growing oak-leaf hydrangea in Comal County, TX January 08, 2005 In the last issue of the magazine, there was an item about the oak leaf hydrangea which stated the plant's habitat is east of the Mississippi River. Can it be grown in Comal County? Any special nee... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native landscaping and wildlife gardening in Clifton, TX November 29, 2004 I am moving to Clifton, TX, and I will have an empty lot in the town along with my own home/lot. What kind of soil can I expect? I want to grow a wildflower site to just sit and enjoy and feed the a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poor drainage in wildflower bed November 10, 2004 I have a flower bed that has given me difficulty because it has poor drainage but typically receives sun for most of the day. Salvia gregii was the only survivors for the initial landscaping attempt. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on caliche September 03, 2004 I have heard of sand, silt, clay, and loam, but what is caliche? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Patience for slow-growing Baptisia July 07, 2004 I have three different varieties of well established Baptisia that I have had for several years ... none of them bloom. One of my plants got a very small flower in April, but just pooped out after th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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