Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

Fredericksburg, TX
Death of mature Eve's necklace in Fredericksburg, TX
A friend mentioned his mature Eve's necklace had died this year. The next day I walked past my own mature Eve's necklace(about 5 years old)and it was dead! What could have happened? Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Small to medium specimen native tree for Texas Hill Country
Can you recommend a small to med. 'specimen' tree to plant near our patio? Full sun, drought tolerant, interesting during different seasons. Thought about Blanco Crabapple, Rusty Blackhaw, Smoke Tr...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Live Oaks and Foundations
I have a young live oak (18 inch trunk at it's base) growing within four feet of my house. What kind of damage can it cause my foundation? Need your help!
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
New Lawn for a New House in Central Texas
We have a new house with a barren yard. How soon can we successfully plant grass?
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Replacement for non-native maiden grasses from Fredericksburg TX
I am trying to replace some maiden grasses that died during the drought. I want an evergreen grass or something soft looking to replace them. I want something that is native and 5 to 6 feet tall to ...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX.
I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Controlling switchgrass in Fredericksburg TX
How do you kill switch grass..too much has grown on our property. Originally planted to stop erosion due to oak wilted trees lost on hill behind house, which worked,but now it is everywhere.
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Non-blooming Tecoma stans in Fredericksburg, TX
We have an esperanza plant purchased last year from Walmart and planted outside before winter. It flowered excellently last year. Just before winter we cut it back to about a foot. So far this summer ...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Native Indiangrass as a hedge
Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I would like to create a grass hedge as a foundation planting for a portion of our garden. One side of the planting is a concrete sidewalk to our garden shed, the other side wil...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Viability of Desert Willow in clay soil in Fredericksburg, TX
I have recently purchased a house in a new subdivision in Fredericksburg, TX. The lot was not landscaped. I have a small lot (85 X 135), my back yard is about 50 X 85. The soil is a heavy clay. I am c...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
How can I submit a picture with my question?
How can I submit a picture with my question?
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Mountain laurel planting over Frederickburg limestone
We have rocky limestone shelves on our property. We want to plant a mountain laurel. Are the roots strong enough to break through the limestone or should we try to find another location? The limestone...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Lindheimer's muhly, goat food in Fredericksburg TX
How can I eradicate Lindheimers muhly in my pasture and what can I plant in its place that goats will graze on?
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Gregg's Mistflower stressed in Fredericksburg TX
My Gregg's Mist Flower plants are very stressed. The blooms have turned brown and the leaves are drooping. Plants are receiving moderate sun, partial shade. Do they need daily watering this time o...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Restoring a native prairie
Can you recommend a consultant to help my husband and me re-establish a native prairie on approximately 25 acres near Fredericksburg, TX? Does the Wildflower Center have such a consulting service? ...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Crossvine for metal barn in Fredericksburg, TX
We have a backyard metal barn, the small storage-type structures that are common. Hail knocked some paint off the metal roof and rather than repaint it, we want to install some plastic webbing from th...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Problem with Chinese Pistache tree
We have a gorgeous Chinese Pistache in our yard, about 25 feet tall. We bought it for its gorgeous fall color. The problem is that it has never turned color for us. All the other pistaches in the neig...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Native Grass is Falling Over
Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I've tried to find this answer but am stumped as to the cause. We live in Fredericksburg, TX and have several different tall grasses, Yellow Indian grass, Little Bluestem, wire...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Native grasses palatable for horses and eliminating KR bluestem.
Looking for native Texas grasses which are palatable for horses, to overseed in areas which are currently overrun with KR bluestem. What are the best grasses and best way to accomplish this? (SW Gi...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Problems with Gregg's mistflower from Fredericksburg, TX
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Something is wilting the tops of my Gregg's mistflower, Conoclinium greggii. I cannot see bugs on the plant, so I am wondering if it's a disease. The problem is widespread to...
view the full question and answer

Fredericksburg, TX
Problems with a two year old persimmon tree in Fredricksburg, TX.
Hi Mr/Ms Smarty Plants, We planted a 4-ft Texas Persimmon, Diospyros texana, 2-years ago, with wonderful leaf and fruit production since. We recently had a hail storm (5/9/13) and although mos...
view the full question and answer