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
Calgary, AB
Care of non-native lilac
How and when do we prune lilacs bushes ?
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Calgary, AB
Transplanted crabapple tree problems in Alberta
We transplanted a crabapple tree a couple of weeks ago. There was an abundance of clay in the soil where it was re-planted and even with all the watering, it isn't doing well. Any suggestions on how ...
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Calgary, AB
Nightblooming flower for Alberta, Canada
Are there any night flowers that bloom in august or early september with more than one flower bud for each plant that is native to Canada?
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Calgary, AB
Mystery vine in Alberta, Canada
Recently, I came across a vine (looked like virginia creeper/clematis type base - heavy and woody like) in Calgary, Alta - it was climbing on a metal fence that was approx 4'tall - unfortunately the...
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Calgary, AB
Small trees for Alberta
I would like to know if there is a short, 15 feet and under, deciduous tree that can be grown outside in Calgary, AB
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Calgary, AB
Can I have success planting Adams Needle in Calgary, Alberta? Maybe.
I live in Calgary, Alberta and am wondering if I could have success planting Adams Needle in this climate (lots of chinook winds in the winter with large fluctuations in temperatures).
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Coaldale , AB
Removal of honeysuckle bushes from Coaldale Alberta Canada
I have 2 honeysuckle bushes that I want to get rid of. I am wondering if Honeysuckle bushes have very deep roots (are they hard to dig out?) I am 70 years old and didn't know if I'd be able to dig ...
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Stony Plain, AB
Starting yucca from pups in Alberta, Canada
What is the procedure to start a new plant from the Yucca "pups?" Heavy wet snow damaged much of my yucca plant the winter before last and last summer it produced 3 of these new little ones but the ...
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Edmonton, AB
Possibility of camas being raised in Edmonton, Alberta
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, and wish to find out how "Camassia (leichtlinii white) will fare in this zone.
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Edmonton, AB
Non-native upside down tomatoes in Edmonton AB
Due to early frost, I have brought my upside down tomato plant into the house & have hung it in the basement. What type of grow lamp can I use? I just have the overhead light & standard lamps at my di...
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Edmonton, AB
Juncus effusus Twister question
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I bought a Juncus Effusus,"Twister", and was wondering if it can be brought in the house during winter as a house plant or is it just an annual that will die in ...
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Edmonton, AB
Information on propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings in Alberta, Canada
What do you know about propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings? I'm involved in a small stream side revegetation project in central Alberta, Canada.
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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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Castlegar, BC
Care for non-native Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
How do you care for an Easter Lily once the flowers have fallen off?
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Westlock, AB
Survival of non-native rosemary on sea breeze from Alberta Canada
I read that Rosemary, in some locations, can live on nothing other than the humidity carried by the sea breeze. Is this true?
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Ione, WA
Plants that animals won't eat from Ione WA
In Ione Washington and need to know what types of plants and flowers I can plant that animals in that area wont eat?
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Vernon, BC
Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris)
I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how...
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Vernon, BC
Can lantana be grown in British Columbia from Vernon BC
Can I grow lantana in Vernon B.C. Canada?
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Vernon, BC
Are blue spruce (Picea pungens) poisonous?
Are blue spruce trees poisonous at all? Thank you.
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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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Kettle Falls, WA
Encouraging Daisies to Reappear
Having moved into our home in the early spring of the year we hadn't seen any of the flowering plants around the place until we were living here and we were not given any info on care for them. So ...
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