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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

Flagstaff, AZ
Shade Trees for Flagstaff AZ
I live in Flagstaff, AZ and in need of good shade trees all around the house. We live in the Doney Park area (east of Flagstaff) and it is very windy in the spring time. We need the trees for priva...
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Flagstaff, AZ
Plants for butterflies, birds and bees at 7000 feet in Arizona
What are the best plants for feeding and sheltering bees, butterflies, and birds in/near Flagstaff AZ. We are at 7,000 feet elevation and I am finding it very difficult to create a backyard habitat.
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flagstaff, AZ
Need help with canker in willows in Flagstaff, AZ.
We've got a lot of willows in high altitude desert conditions, irrigated. They've got canker and I want to know if there's anything I can paint on the pruning wounds when I go around trying to remo...
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Flagstaff, AZ
Flowering native plants for Arizona
I was wondering if you could help me? We are moving from California to Arizona, and I was wondering if you can tell me some flowering plants, or any plants that will thrive in the hot Arizona tempera...
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Flagstaff, AZ
Arrow weed
Is arrow weed (Pluchea serecia) shade tolerant? Do you have an on-line resource for native species?
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Parks, AZ
Drought tolerant privacy plants for Flagstaff AZ
We need a fast growing drought tolerant tree that will grow in Flagstaff AZ/Parks AZ. Neighbors are hoarders and we want privacy fence to cover the mess. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Sedona, AZ
Mediterranean Pines indigenous to Verde Valley AZ
Are the tall, thin Mediterranean/Pencil Pines growing in the Verde Valley in Arizona indigenous to the area? They are so plentiful, but are not identified as an indigenous evergreen. If not, how did...
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Sedona, AZ
Privacy screen for Sedona AZ
I live In Sedona Az. A builder just built a house next to my house and the new house is ugly to look at. What plant or tree would grow fast and reach 18 foot in height fast. It can be about 5 to 6 foo...
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Sedona, AZ
Low water hedge for Sedona, AZ
I'm looking for a shrub to plant along a 90' property line with my neighbor in Sedona, Arizona (high desert). Ideally, the shrub would grow to about 8' and would not require too much water. What wo...
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Sedona, AZ
Cupressus arizonica with central leader cut in Sedona, AZ
Will a healthy Cupressus arizonica continue to grow in its native habitat, in Arizona, once the central leader has been cut?
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SEDONA, AZ
Origins of the Name For Blackfoot Daisies
Can you tell me why blackfoot daisies are named “blackfoot”?
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Sedona, AZ
Plants indigenous to Sedona, AZ
I live in Sedona AZ and I want to plant indigenous plants in my garden. Is there a list of AZ native plants shrubs and trees that are indigenous to Sedona? If there is no list that is specific f...
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Sedona, AZ
Will Crossvine damage stucco walls?
The Crossvine I planted about a month ago is doing well. It is growing up a stucco wall and its little tendrils are sticking to (or into?) the stucco. Is this going to grow into the stucco and damage ...
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Sedona, AZ
Lightning protection of smooth bark cypress
I have been told that the smooth bark cypress stores a large amount of water at its base and if lightning strikes, it will explode and extinguish the flames. Could you tell me if this is a myth? I'...
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Sedona, AZ
Identification of fragrant, white-flowered bush in Arizona
I'd like to identify a flowering bush which has white sweet-smelling flowers. It is growing in the Coconino National Forest in the area near the Airport vortex/Airport mesa in Sedona, Arizona. ...
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Sedona, AZ
Preserving the agave bloom for decoration from Sedona AZ
I have an agave century plant which is starting to bloom. Is there some way I can preserve the flower as a decoration piece?
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Sedona, AZ
Preserving century plant bloom stalk from Sedona AZ
I have the flower stalk from a century plant which I am using as a Christmas tree. Can you advise me as to what I should do to preserve it for future use? Should it be kept indoors or outdoors. Pro...
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Chino Valley , AZ
Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) for horse pastures
Can Buffalo Grass be used for browse for horse pastures?
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Chino Valley, AZ
What shade trees have non-invasive root systems?
What shade trees have a non-invasive root system? I am in zone 7a. Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants!
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Prescott, AZ
Plant identifcation and wants to know about weeds
My son planted some seeds in pots before he left and I don't know if I am watering weeds/plants??? One plant has green & red (lateral) striped stalks with something on the end that to me from Texas ...
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Prescott, AZ
Are peonies resistant to javelina and deer predation?
Are peonies resistant to javalina and deer predation in Prescott, AZ
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