Native 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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Caterpillars feeding on Phacelia congesta
Can you tell me which caterpillars can be found on Phacelia congesta in Bell County?
view the full question and answer
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. ...
view the full question and answer
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?
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Species of hackberry best for wildlife from Georgetown, TX
Which species of Hackberry tree is the best for wildlife in Georgetown, TX (just north of Austin)? Your Plant Database says Celtis occidentals is "among the BEST food and shelter plants for wildlife,...
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Transplanting bluebonnets in late Fall from Georgetown TX
Transplanting bluebonnets in October? Neighbor wants to share abundance of rosettes and good size plants- any suggestions or warnings? Will freeze/frost protection be needed if we get December freeze...
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Vinegar as a Herbicide
When can you use vinegar on weeds to get rid of them.
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Is Ruellia aggressive?
Is Ruellia aggressive?
view the full question and answer
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 ...
view the full question and answer
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?
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
GEORGETOWN, TX
Deer eating Non-native Asiatic Jasmine in Georgetown, TX
Is there a spray or granular material that will prevent deer from eating asiatic jasmine?
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Why is fall the best time to plant Bluebonnet seeds?
Bluebonnet plants drop their seeds in late May or early June. Why is it recommended to broadcast Bluebonnet seeds in October which is 5 months after the plant drops its seeds?
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Carolina Jessamine Toxic to Honey Bees?
Is Carolina jessamine toxic to honey bees? I have read conflicting answers.
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Are Verbena Annuals Deer Resistant?
Are Verbena Estrella Pink Star annuals deer resistant?
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Using Sound to Repel Deer
We have several motion activated water scarecrows for deer intrusions and have heard about sound scarecrows. Do you know if they are effective and do they bother pets such as cats, birds, etc.?
view the full question and answer
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 ...
view the full question and answer
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?
view the full question and answer
Georgetown, TX
Ants in the compost pile from Georgetown TX
Can you give me any suggestions for ridding my compost pile of ants?
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer