Native 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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Wednesday - December 08, 2004
From: Decatur, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Smarty Plants on wildflower meadow gardening
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
My local elementary school in Decatur, Texas (north central) has an open field of wonderful wildflowers in front of it. This year, they were mowed before the flowers went to seed. What is a good rule of thumb for when to mow or wait to mow wildflowers. I'd like to provide the school with information to make it a learning opportunity for the kids as well.ANSWER:
After the wildflowers have bloomed, do not mow until at least 1/2 of the late bloomers have dropped their seeds. You can find this advice and much more about wildflower meadow gardening by visiting the Native Plant Library on the Wildflower Center web page.More Wildflowers Questions
Care of wildflower meadow dried out in drought
June 30, 2011 - Mr Smarty Plants,
Our wildflower patch is completely dried up here in Lucas,Tx.
What do you do with the field? Mow it? Trim it? Let it be?
The patch is about 1/2 acre..
Thanks,
view the full question and answer
Less Maintenance Plant Suggestions for New Raised Bed in Henderson, NV.
April 03, 2014 - We have a newly constructed raised garden bed. I was wondering what kind of plants would be appropriate to plant this springtime in Henderson, NV with less maintenance because I work full time.
view the full question and answer
Autumn flowering Texas wildflowers
May 07, 2008 - Where might I get a list of autumn flowering Texas wildflowers?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on daylilies
July 29, 2003 - I have a number of Daylilies that are rapidly multiplying in my flower bed. If I relocate some of them to the field behind my house, will they crowd out the native wildflowers?
view the full question and answer
Native wildflower garden for Pennsylvania
May 21, 2008 - Hello, I am interested in making a garden, and I would like to use only or mostly native wildflowers in it. Do you have any good suggestions for wildflowers that I can transplant from places where the...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |