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.
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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
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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St. Johns, AZ
Disease problems with non-native Globe Willow
Globe Willow - Is exuding a white frothy foam/sap at several locations. What is this and how can it be stopped?
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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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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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Belen, NM
Pollinator garden for Belen NM
Trying to set up a flower garden to attract bees and butterflies. Can you tell me what would be best to grow. I live in Belen, NM.
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Portal, AZ
Can two species of Muhlenbergia be cross-pollinated from Portal AZ
Will Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Big Muhly) cross-pollinate with Muhlenbergia porteri (Bush Muhly)? I am attempting to restore the grasslands on my private property to a pre-1900 state. Bush Muhly was a...
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Albuquerque, NM
Growing non-native daylilies from Albuquerque
Need some tips on planting daylilies in the Northeast heights of Albuquerque. I've amended clay soil with cottonbur mulch/compost mix and added gypsum. Can I do anything else to ensure growing succes...
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Albuquerque, NM
Propagation of Simsia calva from Albuquerque NM
Hi - I was given some simsia calva seed from the LBJ wildflower center. It doesn't have a lot of info about starting the seeds, so any help is much appreciated! I tried starting some outdoors last ye...
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Albuquerque, NM
Eliminating silverleaf nightshade from Albuquerque NM
I have silverleaf nightshade in my yard and would like to eradicate it (yeah, I know, good luck!) or at least control it. Do you have any suggestions?
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Albuquerque, NM
Looking for seeds for Carex texensis and Horse Herb
I am looking for either plants or seeds of Carex texensis and horseherb with no success. I live in the Albuquerque,NM mountain region (at ~6800ft, zone 6). I need something that is very dought resis...
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Albuquerque, NM
Ivy with holes in its leaves
Mr. Smarty Pants,
Please help me, I was given an ivy (origin unknown). It is peculiar. It has holes in the leaves, not from bugs or from bacteria, etc. It is natural, the holes develop in some type...
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Albuquerque, NM
Trees prohibited or regulated in Albuquerque
Are there certain trees that not not allowed to be planted in Albuquerque, New Mexico because of city regulations?
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Albuquerque, NM
Is Thyme Toxic to Cats?
Is 'Pink Chintz' thyme, the ground cover, toxic to cats?
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Albuqueruqe, NM
Non-destructive vine for stucco in Albuquerque
Is there a vine that can grow on stucco without destroying the stucco when removed?
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Albuquerque, NM
Fast-growing vine for cinder block wall in Albuquerque
I live in Albuquerque, N.M. and have a cement/cinder block wall and was wondering if there is a vine I can plant which will be easy to grow, grow fast and cover my wall without any type of help like a...
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Albuquerque, NM
Need a source for mesquite trees in Albuquerque, NM.
Where can I find mesquite plants to use in landscaping my yard in Albuquerque?
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Albuquerque, NM
Non-native pomegranate in Albuquerque
I don't know if they are now considered native or not but I am interested in planting Principia or Pomegranates in Albuquerque, windy and a mile high. Do I have a chance?
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Albuquerque, NM
Medicinal Yerba de la Negrita (Sphaeralcea coccinea)
When I make my own batch of Yerba de la Negrita how long will it keep in the refrigerator?
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Albuquerque, NM
Quaking Aspens in Albuquerque
How do quaking aspens fare in north east Albuquerque?
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Albuquerque, NM
Seed pod of Proboscidea louisianica (Deveil's claw) in New Mexico
I found the most amazing seed pods of the devil's claw right here in Albuquerque. I thought it was a wood skeleton of a pterodactyl (flying dinosaur, I believe), but heard it's a devil's claw. Ok...
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Albuquerque, NM
Foundation plants for Albuquerque.
Hello,
I live in Albuquerque. I am looking for some native/xeric low water usage plants for foundation plants for my home.
They will be foundation plants for a two story home that has a large ponde...
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