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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers Nan Hampton, Jimmy Mills and Barbara Medford to be the culpable and capable parties. Yet, others think staff members Damon Waitt, Joe Marcus and Philip Hawkins might 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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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Questions From Near You

Marble Falls, TX
Living fence of native plants in Central Texas
I would like to plant a living fence around my property in central Texas. What trees/plants will survive the Texas weather best without taking years to provide visual shield?
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Marble Falls, TX
Propagation of non-native Jerusalem Sage from Marble Falls, TX
What is the best way to propagate Jerusalem Sage? I've located a plant and I want to get some going.
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Marble Falls, TX
Planting time for late October bloom of Cowpen Daisy from Marble Falls, TX
How fast does Cowpen Daisy grow from seed to flower? Do we still have time to plant seed and get flowers by the end of October in order to attract late migrating Monarch Butterflies through the Austi...
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Marble Falls, TX
Blackfoot Daisy care in Marble Falls TX
I've planted and killed a number of blackfoot daisy plants. I know it's a hardy plant that, once established needs little or no care. But what about getting them started? What care do they need f...
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Marble Falls, TX
Pruning of frost-damaged non-native Sago Palms in Marble Falls TX
I have several large Sago Palms that have partial frost damage, they are part green and part brown fronds. Should I remove the brown leaves? the center of the leaf is green.
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Marble Falls, TX
Native Shade Tree for Central Texas
My parents are buried in Round Mountain Cemetery close to Marble Falls, TX. Can you recommend a tree or shrub we can plant to shade their graves? We need something that can survive and grow in the h...
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Marble Falls, TX
Which seeds need to be scarified from Marble Falls TX
Can I find out which seeds need to be scarified?
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Marble Falls, TX
Bird-attracting trees in Marble Falls TX
What fruiting trees/shrubs other than red mulberry are good to attract native birds (and for bird watching opportunities)? We'd prefer native species, but does white mulberry attract as many bird sp...
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Marble Falls, TX
How to Propagate Mexican Bush Sage in Marble Falls, Texas
I need advice on when, how to separate Mexican bush sage. Ours is happy and HUGE but is now sprouting from the roots at the base. Since we've been so successful with this plant, we want to divide it...
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Marble Falls, TX
Vegetables to plant now from Marble Falls TX
What are the best vegetables to plant now?
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Marble Falls, TX
Flowers for Central Texas wedding in May
Hi there! I am getting married in Marble Falls, TX in May. My soon to be husband and I are very eco-conscious, and were wondering what type of flowers are local and in season for a Central Texas weddi...
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Marble Falls, TX
Care of non-native plant
I have a plant that grows about 1' tall, looks sort of like a dracaena. The leaves grow off of a short stem and are yellowish (no green at all) with brilliant slashes of hot pink an red. It is georg...
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Marble Falls, TX
Native plants for poolside in Central Texas
What native plants would your recommend for poolside landscaping, and poolside containers? Tons of sun and white limestone patio.. Thanks.
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Marble Falls, TX
What is Andropogon saccharoides?
I am reading Roy Bedichek "Adventure with a Texas Naturalist" I came across a reference to sage grass (Andropogan saccharoides)p. 23. I searched the data base and didn't any infromation abou...
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Marble Falls, TX
Problem with Prosopis glandulosa (Honey mesquite)
One of our mature Honey Mesquite trees is losing thumb sized branches high up in the canopy because something is stripping the bark. The branches are completely white for 8-12 inches. Of course the ...
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Marble Falls, TX
Propagation of Possumhaw Holly from berries in Marble Falls, TX
Any suggestions for getting a Possumhaw Holly to grow from the red berries?
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Marble Falls, TX
Screen plants to replace non-native Chinese raintrees in Marble Falls, TX
Five four year old Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese Rain) trees were mistakenly cut to the ground. They were planted fairly close together, perhaps ten feet apart. The purpose for them was to provide a...
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Marble Falls, TX
Hardiness of Euphorbia milii from Marble Falls, TX
What is the hardiness of euphorbia mili, crown-of-thorns?
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marble falls, TX
Mystery plants at Marble Falls
On the upper end of Lake Marble Falls is a 2-3 foot tall green stemed plant just blooming small white daisy like flowers. There are no leaves on the plant just stems and now flowers. Any idea where ...
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Marble Falls, TX
Should shredded Ashe juniper be composted for mulch?
Our neighbor shredded some Texas Hill Country cedar trees. Can we use it safely as mulch? Do we need to wait until it composts some?
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Marble Falls, TX
What to do about powdery mildew on Pavonia lasiopetala?
My Pavonia lasiopetala seems to have gotten mildew this spring. I was hoping that warm weather would get rid of it. Instead it has spread to most of the plants which are located in widely separated b...
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