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| Native Plants | 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Deer-Resistant Plants | 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 mixed messages. Can you advise? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Wildflowers | 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | 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 clay. What are the chances that these will resprout and come up through my new plants if I don't remove the entire root? Thanks, Ryan View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Disease | 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 for many years has had leaf curl. I used a product called Serenade biofungicide and this year there was no curl but all fruits were mummies. Is it worth trying to save this tree? What would help it if I prefer not to spray chemicals that would be toxic to birds, critters, water supply. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Invasive Plants | 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), and in the summer berries appear and turn purple-black. In the fall the leaves turn yellow. When I pull the vines away from the shrubs, berries fly everywhere. The vines are multiplying each year. Help! Thanks so much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | 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 went. Later that day and even now it feels like its bruised on the inside and as been red and swollen. How long should I just leave it alone and when should I become concerned? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Christmas decorations on a live oak in Montrose CA November 18, 2009 Is it OK to put Christmas lights and decorations on a live oak? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Deer-Resistant Plants | Deer-resistant groundcover for sunny hillside in California November 17, 2009 we are looking for a deer resistant, drought resistant ground cover that we can grow from seed. we have a large,partial sunny hillside, well drained,that is cover with oak leaves and pine needles..and weeds. any suggestions? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping | Evergreen groundcover in Louisiana November 17, 2009 I need a suggestion for an evergreen groundcover plant that can tolerate moist soil. I want something that is low maintenance to go around a pergola in my backyard that gets mostly full sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Care | Leaf loss on Cenizo in Bertram TX November 17, 2009 I need help with a purple sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) problem. Most of one of my plants started having paler, more greyish leaves, then the leaves began to fall off. It seemed to still look healthy at the tips and it still blooms, but now has very few leaves on most of that plant. Now my healthiest sage is starting the same thing. We have great drainage, do not overwater, and I see no clear evidence of insects or scale. I have photos I could send if needed. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping | Evergreen shrubs for urns at entryway in Midland, Texas November 16, 2009 I am looking for plants for large urns at my entry .. prefer something evergreen. The urns are about 3' tall with an opening of 10-12" .. also prefer a plant that is not too bushy or whose roots will not become matted. Thanks for any help ..... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Wildlife Gardening | Drought tolerant plants for butterflies and hummingbirds November 16, 2009 I have about 150 sq ft of space in our backyard (urban OKC residence) that gets direct sun in the morning but is 100% shaded by 11-Noon from 2 large Sycamore trees. The space is on the west side of the yard and also shaded after noon by a 7 foot fence. Would like to fill this area with a (wide?) variety of native and drought resistance flowers/shrubs attractive to humming birds and butterflies, and with a large range of color and blooming times. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Small tree for yard in Columbia TN November 16, 2009 I have a somewhat small yard but the construction workers put a water and sewer drain in the middle of my yard. The sewer main is located on the far side of my property my width of yard is 60 feet width from street to house is 27 feet. I want a low root system tree to plant. I don't want a big tree(over 30ft). What type of tree should I get? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Why so many acorns in Houston? November 16, 2009 My son's home in Houston has a Live Oak. This year it has dropped MILLIONs of the seed pods. This hasn't happened in the nine years of living there. Is anything wrong with it? It looks OK but he has raked up bags of them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Care | Trimming of turkscap November 16, 2009 I have a Mexican Turk's cap, it is in its second year of growth and is doing well. However, I feel a need to prune it? do I need to? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping | Xeric landscaping walls in Mansfield TX November 15, 2009 We have two stone, concave 10 ft. high entry walls to our private street. These are each 20 ft. in length and face the west. What xeriscaping accent plants would you recommend. Also, should we create a bed, or can we make berms covered with grass. We do not have weeding maintenance or watering ability. The soil is sandy loam with a clay subsoil. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping | Wax myrtle or cherry laurel in Austin? November 15, 2009 For a very shady area under a large old oak tree with oak toxic soil, would a Wax Myrtle or a Cherry Laurel (caroliniana) be better? Looking for an evergreen screening tree up to 20ft, but it only gets about 2 hours of morning sun in the summer, and dappled sun during the winter. Thank you so much! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Invasive Plants, Native Plants, Plant Care | Information on various plants from Alamo TX November 15, 2009 Have you heard of the following plants: Butterfly Iris,Compact Nanpina, Red Dawrf Turks I would like to know some details on the above plant: size, flowers?, draught tolerant, where to plant Thanking you in advance for whatever information you can give me. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Spots on leaves of sevenleaf creeper in Austin November 14, 2009 Have 3 seven leaf creepers that are planted in mostly shade. In Sept & Oct 2009 all 3 plants had dried up leaves which fell off; however, all three plants grew new leaves when we got rain and are coming back well. One plant, which gets more shade that the others, has leaves that have turned a paler green with some whitish brown spots. What is this and how do I treat it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping, Native Trees | Plant spacing of Cenizo in Bulverde TX November 14, 2009 How far apart should Texas sage be planted? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Propagation | Few seeds from turkscap in Seguin, TX November 14, 2009 I have several Turk's cap plants but most do not produce seed. Any ideas? They have been in place 5 plus years. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Identification | What is the weed of Cortez from Shreveport, LA November 13, 2009 I am trying to locate the weed of Cortez. I live in northern Louisiana. Can you please let me know if you have ever heard of this? I was told that is a very rare large red flower that blooms in the spring. Also, can you let me know if there is another name for the weed or flower? Thank you for your time. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Pruning Texas Mountain Laurel November 12, 2009 How much can I prune a 10 year old mountain laurel to re-shape it and when? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | |
| Native Grasses | Clearing up the nativity of so-called Baltimore sedge (Carex senta) November 12, 2009 Dear Smarty Pants: Hi, did you ever get more clarity on the Carex senta issue (baltimore sedge)? Whether or not it was a wetland grass? I too am in Maryland and was thinking of planting it for a lawn, but not if it's only native way out west. If you have any other recommendation for a shade-loving native for a lawn, that would be wonderful. thanks in advance. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Identification | Plant identification in Andover MA November 12, 2009 I live in MA. I have found a tree that produces an avocado like fruit with a round grooved pit. There are several of these trees in the fields where I walk and the ground is littered with these fruits. Can you tell me what they are? Unfortunately there is no foliage left on the trees to help with the id. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping, Native Trees | Where to plant the Texas Olive tree? November 11, 2009 I need to know where to plant the Texas Olive Tree, and what kind of care is required, such as watering, pruning, fertilization. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Possibility of Colorado Blue Spruce tree in Boerne TX November 11, 2009 Is it possible to plant Colorado Blue Spruce trees in the Boerne, Texas area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Planting a tulip poplar in Virginia Beach VA November 10, 2009 Hi. I would like to plant a Yellow Poplar, 'Tulip Tree' in my front yard. I will not be able to plant this tree until after November 15th. The tree will receive direct sun and will be exposed to heat from the pavement in the cul-de-sac we live in. Will I have problems this time of year? Should I wait until spring? Thank you for your help! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Grasses | Carex as a shady turf alternative in Austin November 10, 2009 I just read your answer to Barbara Medford's question about what multi-species native grasses would work to create a shady lawn. While you had some wonderful suggestions you mention a homeowner's associations might not take kindly to them. I would like to recommend to the both of you to try different species of native sedge. When I lived in Austin I used Carex retroflexa from a local nursery under my live oak. It was evergreen & I found it was best to trim the areas that received foot traffic once a year (just as they were setting seed). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | Failure to thrive of newly planted magnolia in Irving TX November 10, 2009 I planted four Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora) in my back yard during first week of October 2009. One of them seem to be dying because its leaves have turned very brown and the leaves are curling inwards. These are planted in ZIP 75062 which falls under zone 7b. Could you please help me save this shrub? Of late there was surplus rain. The soil is just moist and not water logged. Same soil condition with other magnolias. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Trees | The perfect tree for San Rafael CA November 10, 2009 Want to plant a tree that is slow growing and has shallow root system that won't lift the concrete, that does not shed, and is green throughout the year. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | Plant for science experiment from Kentfield CA November 10, 2009 What is a fast growing plant I should use for a science experiment? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Identification | Tree purchased at LBJWC plant sale from Austin November 10, 2009 I bought a tree at the 2008 LBJ Wildflower plant sale, it is growing great. I would like to plant it in the proper location/soil but lost the name tag and can't identify it. It has very fine leaves, has stickers and grown in several directions, not normal branches. Maybe you can identify it or I can send a pic. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants, Wildlife Gardening | Latin name for botany mist in McAllen TX November 10, 2009 What is the latin name or formal name of botany mist which is a Queen butterfly nectar source in the Rio Grande Valley? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | Does deer repellant really work from Hope NJ November 10, 2009 Does Deer Stopper by Messina Wildlife really work as an organic pest repellent? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping, Native Grasses, Native Plants | Plants to stabilize a steep slope in east Texas November 09, 2009 We have a very steep dirt dam in Winnsboro TX, full sun, and burmuda and rye grasses have not been enough to keep from having some mud sliding. We keep adding clay and reworking but want to preserve the dam and 3 acre pond. What plantings do you suggest for full sun that will help prevent erosion. There are deer in the area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Disease | Problems with Agave americana in Comfort TX November 09, 2009 We have lost a huge agave americana and are not able to find out what to do for our others. The one we lost was rotted or eaten (beetles?) at the base and the whole thing just fell over. We have a lot of very big ones and don't want to lose any more. Is there some treatment we should use? We cannot find any information or help with this. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants, Plant Propagation, Wildflowers | Finding Viguiera dentata seeds or plants. November 09, 2009 I'm trying to locate seeds or plants of Viguiera Dentata, but have been unsuccessful. With the poliferation of these beautiful flowers this fall, I don't understand why I can't locate them. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might find them? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Fall care for Fan Scarlet lobelia in Rock Island IL November 09, 2009 What do I do with Scarlet Fan lobelia in the fall; do I cut it back or let it go as is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Plant Care | Problems with non-native cuphea in Pearland TX November 09, 2009 I have about 8 Bat Face Cupheas and I am having trouble with them. First, instead of mounding 360 degrees, the branches all grow forward (they do bloom well). They're in full sun, about 3 feet out from a wall. What could be causing this? Second, I live very near Houston, when and how should I trim them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Invasive Plants | Removing three-seeded mercury in Aujstin November 09, 2009 How can I get rid of Three Seeded Mercury (Acalypha phleoides)? Even if I try to dig it up, the roots go down forever and it ends up just breaking at 6-8" down. Just breaking it off at the surface, makes it grow even lusher. I've been trying for years to get rid of it and it's just spreading and taking over more of the yard. The "yard" is horse herb (aka straggler daisy) and other plants that come up that I like. I don't mow. I just pull out what I don't like. But this one weed is defeating me. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Miscellaneous | How rare is the Devil's Cigar Fungus (Chorioactis geaster)? November 08, 2009 I have found a fungus called devil's cigar in the woods behind my house in Westlake Hills Texas. I read that it is rare. Is it considered rare even to Central Texas? If so, do I need to let someone know I found it as an endangered species or maybe a plant specialist would just like to see it. Who should I contact if necessary? Thanks for your time! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping | Foundation Plants for South Carolina November 07, 2009 What native plants are suitable as foundation plantings? My soil is heavy clayey loam with red clay subsoil. I live in Charleston County. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Bluebonnets, Native Plants, Wildflowers | Planting fields with wildflowers November 05, 2009 I'm hoping to seed a few fields (large area, short grass) the easiest way possible. I'd love to do bluebonnets but I don't think I can get a large aerator to the locations. Basically I'm wondering what would be the biggest bang for my buck in terms of ease of planting and flower density (with preference for the classics like paintbrushes, and for something I could seed this season if not too late). Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Landscaping, Native Grasses | Best sod for a yard in Elgin, TX? November 05, 2009 First time home buyer and the back yard will need to be sodded. What is an honest price range for this service for 213 sq.yds.? The site is in blackland prairie soil. What type grass is best suited for this area and is drought resistant and low maintenance? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Grasses | Replacing St. Augustine with native grasses in San Antonio November 04, 2009 I am hoping to replace St. Augustine on a sloped yard with native grass. I was wondering where I might get information on the prairie grass seed mats used by the TXDOT highway dept to stop erosion. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Why is my yaupon tree not producing berries in Metairie La? November 04, 2009 What is the lifespan of a Yaupon Tree? We live in Louisiana, and our Yaupon would always get the white flowers in the Spring but never the red berries. Why is that? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
| Native Plants | Can a mustang grape and an oak coexist in Austin November 04, 2009 I have a healthy mustang grape vine growing on an oak in my yard. While the vine provides plenty of good food and a pleasant environment for many birds throughout the year, I feel it is overtaking the oak. The largest part of the trunk of the vine is just less than one inch in diameter. I would like to prune the vine this November or December and would like to do it carefully to prevent harm to both the tree and the vine. How much can I prune the vine? Or to put it differently, how much of the vine should I leave above ground? If pruned, what other care will the vine need to continue living? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |
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