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Ask Mr. Smarty 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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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

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
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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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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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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Walnut Creek CA, CA
Can Gulf Muhly grow in California from Walnut Creek CA
I live in Walnut Creek, California, and recently learned about Muhlenbergia capillaris. It's a beautiful grass. Would this native do well here?
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Walnut Creek, CA
Decline of non-native Star Jasmine in California
We just had 2 trachelospermum jasminoides planted in a redwood planter box about a month ago. We can't figure out if we are watering too much or too little but some leaves are turning yellow and the...
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Walnut Creek , CA
Propagation of indoor plants for school project
I have an assignment for school that requires that I get two indoor plants. One has to grow in water and one has to grow in soil. Each plant needs to grow at a fast pace, and at about the same pace....
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walnut creek, CA
A puppy's challenge in the ivy
ok.. so, heres the thing: my puppy &i often play with a frisbee toy in the yard (cuz the boy's got leaps!). however, it has become apparent that, simply put: i am a TERRIBLE frisbee player!! truly th...
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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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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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Rodeo, CA
Shade tolerant plant for Rodeo, California
I live in Rodeo, California and I need to know what is a good green plant I can get to place in a shady area
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Orinda, CA
Groundcovers for California
Can you recommend native ground covers for shade area to prevent soil erosion; the area is near an old California Live Oak.
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94803, CA
Deciduous shade tree for Inland California dry hills
What type of tree would work well in our back yard? We're looking for a deciduous tree that doesn't grow too tall, maybe 20'. We'd like it to have spreading branches to provide shade during the su...
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El Sobrante, CA
Fast-growing drought-resistant hedge for California
We're looking for a fast growing, drought resistant shrub that will grow in clay soil and can be used for a hedge around our property.
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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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