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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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ever wondered what the best flowers and plants are for your garden? Do you want to start a water garden but don't know how? Want to stop your neighbor from mowing your wildflowers? Help is just a click away! Search our extensive database of frequently asked questions - and their answers!

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See a list of all Smarty Plants Q & As

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Most recently answered

Understory planting in Virginia
July 03, 2009
We have some 10 mature tulip and sycamore trees in our No. VA property. The previous home owners were fond of English Ivy and Japanese pachysandra. We are working hard at replacing these invasives to ... -- answer by Anne Bossart
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Attracting butterflies in Tennessee
July 03, 2009
What flowers and plants do the caterpillars in Tennessee eat? And do you know what butterflies live in Tipton Co. Tennessee? -- answer by Janice Kvale
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Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season?
July 03, 2009
Can a pecan tree be kept from producing for a season? -- answer by Nan Hampton
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Plants to replace poison ivy in Kingsport TN
July 03, 2009
Am in the process of killing off poison ivy that is growing vigorously. What do you recommend to plant in its place. I don't want to leave area open to other invasive plants. (Yes, poison ivy is a... -- answer by Barbara Medford
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Plants to stop erosion in Alabama
July 03, 2009
Our front yard is being washed down the street when we have rainstorms. It's been especially bad this year due to all the rain.What kinds of plants/grasses could we use to help stop the water from r... -- answer by Nan Hampton
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Plant identification called Touch-Me-Not, Impatiens sp.
July 03, 2009
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: My grandmother used to have a bed of plants that would come up every year that she called "Touch Me Nots". The flower was about 1 1/2" across, orangey with flat green leav... -- answer by Nan Hampton
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Plant identification
July 03, 2009
I have a tree growing in my backyard that has started to produce bean shaped blue berries the interior of the berry is red and the leaf shape is long and triangle and the stems the berries grow on are... -- answer by Nan Hampton
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Problems with non-native weeping willow in Villanova PA
July 03, 2009
My weeping willow (6 years old,80+ft tall),up until this year used to be full and healthy. Last year I trimmed the lower portion of the trunk by cutting off the low hanging branches, but this year so ... -- answer by Barbara Medford
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