Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - March 20, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Laws
Title: Weed Laws
Answered by: Sage Kawecki
QUESTION:
Help! My neighborhood wants to mow down my native landscape! Can you suggest a resource regarding city regulations and native plant landscaping?ANSWER:
Cities and neighborhood associations often adopt weed laws and landscape ordinances that prohibit grasses and flowers over a certain height in an effort to prevent untidy or abandoned properties from becoming a hazard or devaluing property values. Unfortunately, these same laws and ordinances become restrictive in attempting to define beauty, and can conflict with native landscaping. As the native plant landscaping movement gains more momentum, the need to revise these laws and ordinances will arise. The EPA has developed an informative website that discusses how to challenge weed laws at: their website. I also recommend reviewing an informative article posted from the Wild Ones website.More Plant Laws Questions
Wildflowers being mowed in Canyon TX
June 03, 2012 - Can I receive a letter from someone there to put up in our neighborhood? I live in an area very close to Palo Duro Canyon. A developer out here mows down the wildflowers along the one lane road. It ...
view the full question and answer
Inspection of house plants moving to Florida
December 02, 2014 - Hi. I am hoping to move from Chicago to Florida any month at this time. I have a collection of house plants, does anyone know where I can get them inspected and certified so they'll be allowed into...
view the full question and answer
Neighborhood association wanting wildflowers mowed from Grand Prairie TX
July 14, 2013 - For at least 15 years, I have been fostering growth of wildflowers in 60% of my 90x400' yard which include 150' utility trunkline easement in which I can plant no trees. This year, we had volunteer ...
view the full question and answer
Taking plants to Alaska
August 31, 2011 - I am moving from California to Alaska, can I take live plants?
view the full question and answer
Sample city ordinances to incorporate into city code
February 13, 2007 - I am looking for a source of sample city ordinances that will allow wildflowers such that we can incorporate it into our city code. My city is rural and per its master visionplan was originally publi...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |