Native Plants
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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.
Questions From Near You
Georgetown, TX
Replacements for Ashe Junipers in Georgetown, TX
We have cut down several cedar trees on our property in Williamson County Texas. We would like to replace the cedar trees with another variety of tree. Do you have recommendations for what type of t...
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Georgetown, TX
Dead leaves on yucca in Georgetown TX
We have 2 6ft and 3 smaller soft leaf yuccas out back in a kidney shaped area with a wax myrtle and a mountain laurel. The yuccas have done great but now two of them have a large number of dead leaves...
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Georgetown, TX
Trimming of Escarpment Oak from Austin
We have a 2-year-old quercus fusiformis in our front yard and have been advised by some people that we need to remove the bottom branches and trim the ends of the branches that are hanging far down. ...
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Georgetown, TX
Ants in the compost pile from Georgetown TX
Can you give me any suggestions for ridding my compost pile of ants?
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Georgetown, TX
Blue Mist Ageratum Shrub?
Is there a shrub version of Blue Mistflower Ageratum? I believe we saw some at the Butterfly Center in MacAllen. Would it survive in Georgetown, TX?
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Georgetown, TX
Vinegar as a Herbicide
When can you use vinegar on weeds to get rid of them.
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Georgetown, TX
Source of Pectis angustifolia from Georgetown TX
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...
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Georgetown, TX
Difference in acorn yields from Georgetown TX
Why do some live oaks produce acorns in abundance and others do not?
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Georgetown, TX
Watering Native Trees in Georgetown, TX
I installed a native/adapted plantscape in early March including several small trees. They were planted in the rocky soil west of I-35 in Georgetown with plenty of added compost and mulch. Other than ...
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Georgetown, TX
Identification of daisy-like yellow flower
Georgetown, TX - I have two flowers blooming in my field that I can't identify. One is strong gold and the other strong orange. I cannot identify the leaf pad. There are no leaves on the stem which...
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Georgetown, TX
Oak Wilt in Georgetown, TX
We have lost several live oaks to oak wilt. Another couple are dying but still have some green leaves. Is it OK to cut down these trees now or should we wait until they are entirely dead? I've heard ...
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Georgetown, TX
Why didn't the mountain laurels bloom this year in Georgetown, TX?
Why are the mountain laurels not blooming this year, I live in Georgetown, TX?
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Georgetown, TX
Mowing frequency of native lawn from Georgetown TX
I have a native grass and wildflower lawn. At what frequency and when should the lawn be mowed?
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Georgetown, TX
Replacements for yuccas from Georgetown TX
I have lost some softleaf and variegated yucca to a beetle grub destroying the root system - like the Agave snout beetle does. I have put an insecticidal drench on my remaining plants, but suspect wi...
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Georgetown, TX
Plants for Georgetown with shade in the AM and sun in the PM
Hi, I live in Georgetown and I would like a recommendation for plants (shrubs and flowering perennials) that can handle deep shade until 1 or 2 pm and then have full sun blasting them til sun down. T...
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Georgetown, TX
Additional screening under yaupons in Georgetown TX
We live on a corner and have a berm along the south side of our yard which blocks our backyard from the street. It was planted with uprights yaupons. With the drought, deer have eaten the bottom por...
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Georgetown, TX
Anacacho orchid not leafing out in Georgetown TX
February 2012 I planted 2 4-ft anacacho orchids which did well. This spring, they have yet to leaf out or even bud. There is green, however, when I scratch the stems and some suckers at the bottom of ...
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Georgetown, TX
Caterpillars feeding on Phacelia congesta
Can you tell me which caterpillars can be found on Phacelia congesta in Bell County?
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Georgetown, TX
Is Ruellia aggressive?
Is Ruellia aggressive?
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Georgetown, TX
Vine to cover concrete retaining wall in Georgetown TX
I have an unsightly concrete retaining wall and culvert covers that require fast coverage from a vine of some sort. The plant must be deer resistant and drought tolerant. The retaining wall and culv...
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Georgetown, TX
Male and female possumhaws for berries from Georgetown TX
Do I need to plant two ilex decidua (possumhaws), a male and female to have red berries on the tree in the winter?
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