Explore 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.

Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.

Subscribe online now

Mr. Smarty Plants would give Wildflower magazine two thumbs up...if he had two thumbs.

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ever wondered what the best flowers and plants are for your garden? Search our extensive database of frequently asked questions - and their answers! Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants Q & As

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with a Plant Identification, submit your photo to the Green Guru.

Wildflower Quiz - Test your plant identification knowledge.

Most recently answered

Plants for green roofs in Wayne County TN
November 20, 2009
Are any of the plants recommended for green roofs more subject to fire during drought conditions? Our application will be on a rustic wood cabin, thus the importance of safety from fire.
view the full question and answer

Deer resistance of maple leaf viburnum in Austin
November 20, 2009
Looking on the Texas Plant Information Database for Maple Leaf Viburnum, I don’t find any information about deer (whitetail or axis, southern edge of Edwards Plateau) resistance. Other sites give mixe...
view the full question and answer

Will wildflowers still be blooming end of March from Austin
November 20, 2009
Hi Mr Smarty Pants - A wildflower enthusiast from Rome Italy wants to schedule a special visit to Austin end March early April 2010. Can she be sure wildflowers will still be blooming then?
view the full question and answer

Will Cedar Elm seedlings resprout from the root?
November 20, 2009
I have a number of cedar elm saplings coming up in a garden bed which I am planning on replanting. It is very difficult to remove the entire taproot below about 1.5 feet as I encounter rocks and heavy...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native nectarine in Gilbertsville PA
November 20, 2009
I live in southeastern Pennsylvania. I have a mature nectarine tree maybe 14 years old. It has a greenish grey spotting on the trunk and branches, the fruit always turns into the brown mummies and f...
view the full question and answer

Locating a Western Soapberry Tree for Montezuma IN
November 20, 2009
Hello, I hope you can help. We homeschool in Indiana (Dad is a native Texan, transplanted). We are looking for someone with a healthy, mature & fruiting Western Soapberry Tree..sapindus drumondii.
view the full question and answer

Control of invasive vine in North Carolina
November 18, 2009
Hi, I live in Piedmont NC, have vines that twine around my shrubbery and are impossible to pull out of the ground w/o breaking because they are so thin/delicate. The leaves are maple-like (3 lobes), ...
view the full question and answer

Injury while pulling weeds in Chandler TX
November 18, 2009
I stabbed my self this last weekend when pulling roots from a bed so i'm not sure what it was. At the time it was a sharp pain so I pulled off my glove to look at it,barely scratched the skin so on I...
view the full question and answer

View more questions and answers from Mr. Smarty Plants

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends or click Native Plants to join the Green Guru's native plants group.