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
Lockeford, CA
Sticky leaves on non-native weeping willow
Our weeping willow trees look healthy but have sticky leaves that attach to everything. They sparkle/shine from this very sticky mess. They are watered regularly, are they getting too much water? ...
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Galt, CA
Are non-native Chinese pistache poisonous to alpacas from Galt CA
Are Chinese Pistachio trees poisonous to alpacas?
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Stockton, CA
Fruit on Jasmines
My jasmines have grown some small purple fruits and she is about to get her full bloom soon. Should I cut them off to help the plants out? What are they?
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Stockton, CA
Spots on non-native naval orange trees from Stockton CA
I have two mature Navel Orange trees. One tree has developed spotty chlorophyl depleted areas that were not on the oranges when they were smaller. In addition, the oranges on both trees are smaller ,...
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Lathrop , CA
Plants for shade in Northern California
What are good plants that grow and live in shade only?
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Manteca, CA
Plant identification, orange honeysuckle
I have two potted trees in my yard. They have honeysuckle-shaped, orange flowers that bloom year long and the leaves also resemble those of honeysuckle. There were no identification tags on them whe...
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Rio Vista , CA
What is it?
We have two bushes about three ft. high that have narrow leaves that are about one to two inches long and glossy green on top side with soft green on back. They are fairly close together on stems with...
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Oakley, CA
Identity of mint impersonator in California
Is there such a thing as a mint "impersonator"? There are random 'sprigs' of purple-stemmed, bright green leaf plants in my front yard. We just moved in to the house and I don't want to assume ...
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Pine Grove, , CA
Smarty Plants wild sweet pea
We were asked if the seed pods of the wild sweet pea are edible. (California)
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Pine Grove, CA
Dill-like plant in veggie garden in California
I have a plant that appeared in my veggie garden. Looks like dill in spring when green, but the leaves smell more like turpentine! Now, 4-5 foot tall, brown, it produces lots of small, oval - not cr...
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Mountain Ranch, CA
Smarty Plants on Wildflowerology
I know there is a word for everything, but I can't find the offical word for the study of wildflowers. Wildflowerology just doesn't sound right. Can you help?
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Angels Camp, CA
Methods of planting state wildflowers on roadsides in California
My garden club is initiating a program to plant state hwy 49 within our county with our state flower, California Poppy. Do you have information on using hydroseeding as a method of planting?
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Glencoe, CA
Trees to plant around horse corrals
I would like to know what types of trees would be good to plant around my horse corrals.
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Fair Oaks, CA
Clearing out non-native Himalayan blackberry
Can you recommend a way to clear an area of Himalayan blackberry? We have cut the canes back but wish to eliminate them completely so that we can replant that area with native plants attractive to wil...
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SACRAMENTO, CA
Cross pollination of orange and crapemyrtle
I have a crapemyrtle tree growing 3 feet from a navel orange tree. This summer a shoot grew from the ground 5 inches from the orange tree. The shoot looks just like the orange tree but the leaves were...
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SACRAMENTO, CA
Evergreen screening plant for California
I am looking for an evergreen plant that can be used as a screen. Maybe something wispy. Any suggestions?
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Sacramento, CA
Agave attenuata Poisonous?
Is Agave attenuata (foxtail agave) poisonous to horses or humans?
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Sacramento, CA
Why has yucca not bloomed from Sacramento CA
I looked for an answer to my question on your list but did not find one. We have had a yucca plant that has never bloomed since we planted it about 8 years ago. I has grown tall (6-7 feet) and we ha...
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Sacramento, CA
Palm tip wound in Sacramento CA
My husband was stuck in his calf with a palm leaf, he is now complaining of stiffness where it went in, is there any kind of poison in it?
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Sacramento, CA
Plants for flowerbed beside pool in Sacramento, CA
70 foot long 2 ft flower bed running along north side of pool. Gets morning and afternoon sun with late shade on west end and hot sun on east end as sun sets. Need something to help with shooting se...
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Sacramento, CA
Eliminating ragweed in Sacramento CA
Rag weed. How to be rid of it! My wife and lots of others that live in this part of Sacramento suffer greatly.
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