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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!

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Questions From Near You

Vacaville, CA
Trees for pool area in Solano County, California
We are looking for trees we can plant with non-invasive roots near our pool. We don't want them to get too big (about 10 feet) because we don't want them to shade out our pool. We also don't want...
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Vacaville, CA
Root suckers growing from base of oak in California
I planted four trees labeled by the nursery when purchased as "Louisiana Oaks" approximately 20 yrs ago in my front yard. All trees are growing well but one of the four has a progressing mass of ro...
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Vacaville, CA
How can I eradicate Mexican Petunia from my garden in Vacaville CA?
Can you tell me the best way to eradicate the plant Ruellia, commonly known as Mexican Petunia, from my garden?
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Fairfield, CA
Fast-growing, non-poisonous evergreen vine for California
Hi, I am in the north bay area of California, north of San Francisco, need a quick growing vine to cover a very long section of chain link fence that is not poisonous (back yard backs up to school pla...
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Fairfield, CA
Eradicating non-native pyracantha bushes in California
We removed several pyracantha bushes but they keep coming up in other parts of the garden. How do we kill the shoots? Thank you for any help
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Fairfield, CA
Smoking mint instead of tobacco from Fairfield CA
I realize this is a stupid question, but i am a little curious about this. Anyway I heard more people are smoking mint leaves to help cure their addiction to tobacco and i was wondering if it is s...
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Napa, CA
Deer resistant plants for wet area in northern California
In Napa/Sonoma/Calif mountains, deer resistant plants, shrubs that tolerate much water and full sun? Area is in 'spring area' and a butterfly bush drowned. Thank you!
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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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Vallejo, CA
How to plant a gooseberry bush
Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush. Thanks,
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Benicia, CA
Native woodland plants for Benicia, California
I am planting in raised beds around redwood trees, Japanese maples and rhododendrons in my backyard. I would like suggestions for native woodland plants to accompany my established plants. The area i...
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Bay Point, CA
Correction of tree name from Bay Point CA
The tree should of been Mulberry don't know how it was changed!! Tuesday - October 15, 2013 From: Bay Point, CA Region: California Topic: Non-Natives, Cacti and Succulents, Trees Title: Non-...
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Bay Point, CA
What is the green pod on a trumpet vine
I have a Trumpet Vine that bloomed for the first time this year. After the bloom season, I noticed a single pod hanging on the vine about the size of a large green bean. What is the purpose of this ...
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Bay Point, CA
Fertilizer for Maidenhair Fern in Bay Point CA
Is it possible to feed a Maidenhair Fern the same plant food as a African Violet? I use Schultz African Violet Plus.
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Bay Point, CA
Pictures to Mr. Smarty Plants from Bay Point CA
Is there any way to send you a picture of my Mulberry tree, the Jade and the Spider Plants that are growing in my back yard so you can see what I'm talking about.
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Bay Point, CA
Could ammonia harm poisonous, non-native oleander in Bay Point CA
Could ammonia harm my Oleander plant? I have been spraying ammonia under it to keep neighborhood cats from using the soil under the plant as a sand box. If so, do you have any suggestions as to what...
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Bay Point, CA
Suckers on non-native crape myrtle in Bay Point CA
How can I stop suckers on a Crepe Myrtle tree? I have bought sucker stopper in the past, but find it hard to locate now. Is there something else I can spray or paint on the base of the tree to stop ...
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Bay Point, CA
Control of suckers on non-native crepe myrtle from Bay Point, CA
I wrote to you a while back and haven't heard back. I wanted to know if Naphthalene Acidic Acid will keep the suckers on my Crepe Myrtle at bay? And if so, where might I find it? Thank you.
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Bay Point, CA
Non-native jade plants and spider plants beneath Mayberry tree in Bay Point CA
I have a fruitless Mayberry in my back yard that's about 50/50' can I plant jade and spider plants under it? The tree is very healthy.
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Martinez, CA
Looking for Manzanita (Mt. Diablo variety)
Hi, We live in the Alhambra Valley area; in the country between Martinez and Lafayette/Orina. Can you tell me where I can purchase Manzanita, preferably Mt. Diablo variety if possible? I've aske...
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Concord, CA
B1 for transplant shock in non-native bamboo?
I am wondering about the details as I wish to transplant some bamboo. I do not know the actual variety, as I have at least 2 types, but will take a cutting to a high end nursery.Some of this is about ...
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Concord, CA
Ground cover for Central California from Concord CA
I live in a part of California where the summers can be very hot and dry but quite cool and wet during the rainy seasons in the wintertime. The soil around my home is very dry, rocky and infertile. I...
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