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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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

Elephant Butte, NM
Care of desert willows
We have three desert willows. Two are doing well, but the third, which was planted at the same time as the others, is about 1/3 the size of the other two, the foliage is thin, and the leaves have dry...
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LAS CRUCES, NM
Need a shade tree for an enclosed courtyard in Las Cruces, NM
I HAVE A WEST FACING COURTYARD ENCLOSED WITH A 6' STUCCO WALL AND I WANT TO ADD A SHADE TREE. CURRENTLY HAVE SEVERAL MESQUITE TREES, DESERT WILLOW, CHINESE PISTACHE & VITEX TREES IN THE FRONT AREA ...
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Las Cruces, NM
Evergreen plants for a windbreak
Our church has need to plant a windbreak. We would like fast growing native plants, preferably evergreen or really early 'leafers' to protect us from our windy season beginning in mid/late February....
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Las Cruces, NM
Trees for a new home in Las Cruces, NM
I've just purchased a brand new home in a sub-division in Las Cruces, NM and I'm looking for some landscaping advice. I come from upper-central Illinois, so I'm used to having trees pretty much al...
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Las Cruces, NM
Yellowing leaves on non-native globe willow in Las Cruces, NM
I live in Las Cruces, NM. I have a good size globe willow tree. The leaves are turning yellow and brown dryness at tips and leaves are falling off. Does it just need water?
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Las Cruces, NM
Smarty Plants on Texas Madrone
Hello, where can one acquire the Texas Madrone for planting? Thank you.
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Las Cruces, NM
Plant identification
I have a photo of a shrubby plant with large spines. Is there a way for me to attach it? I'm having trouble identifying it. Thanks!
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Las Cruces, NM
Which native palms survived severe cold from Las Cruces NM
Can you tell me which of the north American native palms survived the severe cold last year that hit El Paso and Las Cruces?
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Las Cruces, NM
Can bougainvillea be grown in Las Cruces, NM?
Can bougainvillea be grown in Las Cruces, NM?
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Las Cruces, NM
Are globe mallows (Sphaeralcea spp.) harmful to dogs
My dogs eat the wild globe mallow plants in my yard. Could that be harmful to them?
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Socorro, NM
Trees for Socorro NM
I recently moved from Austin to Socorro, NM. I want to add 2 shade trees to my hot, dry garden. I am considering Arizona Cypress, Live Oak (Quercus Fusiformis - yes, they are native in NM, as well a...
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La Luz, NM
Identification of grasses for grazing from La Luz NM
I live in southern New Mexico. I have pictures of a few types of grass that I can't find anyone to help me identify with a name for livestock food. Can you help me with it? If so I can send the pi...
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Mescalero, NM
Epiphyte growing on oak trees in Wildflower Center
Thank you for your response to my question on what is the epiphyte growing on oak trees. I should have been more specific to say " the epiphyte growing on the oak trees around Lady Bird Johnson wi...
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Mescalero, NM
Name of epiphyte growing on oak trees
Please tell me what the epiphyte growing on the oak trees is.
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Mescalero, NM
Ball moss (Tallandsia recurvata), epiphyte on oaks at Wildflower Center
I visited your center a couple weeks ago, was very impressed with the educational aspects. I noticed the epiphyte commonly growing in the oak trees, and also on the elm oak. Do you have the name of t...
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Apache Creek, NM
Plant identfication
Hello - Can you help me ID a plant? There are a few growing in grassy areas off roadways in Luna, NM. I will attach photos in photo section. Thanks.
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El Paso, TX
FAST GROWING PRIVACY PLANTS IN EL PASO, TEXAS
Hello, First, I am totally ignorant of plants,trees planting,etc. However, I just moved to El Paso, Tx and find every home is surrounded by these hideous rock walls, which aren't nearly tall enough t...
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El Paso, TX
Killing oak sprouts from El Paso TX
I want to know how to kill oak root sprouts and seedlings. Very dense and out-of-control in huge area of front lawn. I had tree cut down and I still cannot get rid of them. They're only getting wors...
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El Paso, TX
Transplanting of non-native Vitex
I live in El Paso and have a fifteen year old vitex tree planted too close to a mesquite tree in my backyard. As a result of this, the vitex has failed to thrive. My question is this: can I replant ...
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El Paso, TX
Silverleaf Nightshade, Happy in El Paso Texas
Trying to identify a small wildflower all over in our El Paso neighborhood. Lavender bloom, five pointed petals, Star pattern inside, five bright yellow pistols. Beautiful. Thanks!
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El Paso, TX
Transplanting Desert willows in El Paso, TX
We have some volunteer Desert Willows growing on an empty lot nearby. Can we dig them up and transplant them in the yard? If so, how? They are about 3-4 feet tall
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