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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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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

Bozeman, MT
Wild mustard growing in disturbed ground in Montana
I have recently planted "plugs" of wildflowers in beds throughout my yard. Because the soil was disturbed, I now not only have some beautiful wildflowers growing, but also mustard plants growing in ...
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Butte, MT
Indian paintbrush wedding
I live in western Montana and have become quite fond of the flower known as indian paintbrush. I will be getting married this next July, and would like to incorporate the flower into my wedding; Howe...
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Anaconda, MT
Puppy-friendly privacy screen in Montana
I need some puppy-friendly short(< 30') privacy from the gigantic windows of my next door neighbor. But- there are power lines above the area that I needed to plant! I had planned on an aspen grove, ...
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Bridger, MT
Number of seeds per pound for Curvepod fumewort from Bridger MT
Do you know or where can I find the number of seeds per pound for Corydalis curvisiliqua-scrambled eggs?
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Billings, MT
Use of the word annual
Why is the word 'annual' used to describe plants with one grow season, when in all other cases it's used to describe things that reoccur year after year? i.e. Events, celebration, salary?
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Billings, MT
Possible fungus growing on mountain ash (Sorbus sp. or Fraxinus sp.)
We have a mountain ash with something growing several feet off the ground that looks like duckbills or mushrooms. Can you tell me what is wrong with it. We lost one mountain ash tree to something an...
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Cody, WY
Trimming back wildflower beds in Cody Wyoming
I live in Cody Wyoming and I have some wildflower beds in front of my house that didn't get trimmed back this summer...they look like swamp plants now, super nasty. Should I trim them now?
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Victor, ID
Difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus
What is the difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus.
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Rigby, ID
Fast growing trees in Idaho
I want to plant fast-growing trees on my property in Idaho. What trees are poisonous to horses and dogs? I am particularly interested in the Royal Empress (Paulowmia) tree and the dogwood tree.
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Darby, MT
Are birdhouse gourds deer-resistant?
Bird house gourds: they smell nasty (to this human being) but I NEED to know if deer are as repelled as a human by the strong odor put off by the plants.
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Idaho Falls, ID
Hummingbird and butterfly plants for Idaho
I'm interested in planting a hummingbird and butterfly friendly garden. What do you suggest? I would like something that will rebloom every year and that has long lasting blooms or some different one...
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Idaho Falls, ID
Winter-hardiness of hibiscus in Idaho
I bought a hibiscus tree at Sam's Club in Idaho Falls and after planting it, I read the label which says not to go below 50 degrees. Does that mean it is an inside or potted tree to bring in in the ...
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Arlee, MT
Plant identification for Montana
I am in forestry and work by Flathead Lake MT. I came across a wildflower and cannot I.D. it. Two come close..the Low Larkspur and Mountain Bog Gentian. It is blue/purple, 5 rounded petals, leaves are...
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Blackfoot, ID
Care for non-native bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID
Can I plant Bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID? I would like to plant it but am concerned about the harsh winter killing it off.
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Pocatello, ID
Non-native little leaf linden (Tilia cordata)
What is the name of the little leaf linden that has no flowers or pods to shed?
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Pocatello, ID
Planting under Pine Trees in Pocatello ID
Hi I was wondering if you could give me some ideas of what I could plant under and near some pine trees for my area. The trees are huge and so it is also constant shade where I want to plant. Thanks f...
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Pocatello, ID
Deer-resistant native plants for Idaho
I live in Pocatello, Idaho. Everything we plant the deer eat. Are there trees, bushes, flowers that they won't eat? Is there any barriers or natural repugnant fragrances that will deter the deer f...
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Hot Springs, MT
Montana native plants to create a garden with edible plants
Hi Smarty Plants We are looking to create a native herb, vegetable, root, fruit, flower and ground cover garden for the area of Hot Springs, Sanders County, Montana. Our zone is 4 and soil is mostly ...
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Browning, MT
Removal of Black Henbane from raised beds from Browning MT
I am working with youth to create raised beds of native plants. Unfortunately we had a run in with a crop of Black Henbane, last year. They were already flowering by the time we tried to cut, or pull ...
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Riverton, WY
Can a hibiscus survive in Wyoming?
Can a hibiscus survive in Wyoming if it is taken care of properly? If so, can you tell me how to make it happen?
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Kooskia, ID
Is Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglassii) native
Could you give me some information about Douglas maple? Moslty, I'm trying to find out if this plant is native or introduced to Idaho and/or U.S. Thank you.
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