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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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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

Reedsport, OR
Clay hill with erosion problems in Reedsport OR
We have a very steep 35-40' clay hill subject to erosion in the Oregon rainy season. How or what do we do to get some kind of vegetation/grass, etc to grow without washing away? We have had mudslides...
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Myrtle Point, OR
Cuttings for non-native red-tip Photinia
We have had wonderful fortune with red tip Photinia.We would like to expand our plantings.Can red tip Photinia be propagated by hard wood cuttings?
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Eugene, OR
Eliminating bindweed in Eugene OR
Any ideas on the best non-chemical way to get rid of bindweed in the Eugene, Oregon area? In addition to any other ideas you can suggest, are there any groundcovers that would do the job and be non-i...
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Eugene, OR
Native Vines for Pacific Northwest
Hello, I recently built a shed/pen for my large dog. I have a trellis horizontal above the fence to hide the shed from street. I live in Pacific NW. Do you have any suggestions on a nontoxic evergr...
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Eugene, OR
Vine for arbor in Eugene, OR
We have an arbor that is partial shade and stays fairly wet and want to plant a climbing plant on it with shallow roots, preferably with flowers. We had a wisteria but got roots and shooters everywher...
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Springfield, OR
Plant ID in Springfield OR
I recently discovered a wildflower closely resembling the Oregon Lady Slipper, apparently a wild orchid, but with many blooms on a single long stem and with no apparent leaves. I'd like more informat...
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Toledo, OR
Evergreen Deck Plant for Oregon
Need evergreen shrub to grow in shade in container 5ft tall for deck.
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Corvallis, OR
Visiting Texas for bluebonnets
I know rainfall amounts in the winter affect the blooming of bluebonnets in the spring. I am thinking about visiting Texas this spring. What should I be looking for in rainfall amounts? I will watch...
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Albany, OR
Madrone too close to house in Oregon
I have a small Madrone tree (8ft tall) located approximatly 15 feet from my house, with a basement. Should I remove it? ie will it damage the foundation and is the tree strong enough that it will no...
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Grants Pass, OR
Will Cercis (Redbud) grow in Oregon?
We live in Grants Pass, Oregon could Cercis grow here?
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Grants Pass, OR
Memorial Tree Safe for Horses in Oregon
Hi! I just lost my 33 year old beloved mare, Glory! She was my childhood horse and we have had her basically her whole life. We are looking for a special tree out in the pasture for her! She is bu...
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Grants Pass, OR
Are wild sweet peas edible?
Are wild sweet peas edible? Thanks.
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GrantsPass, OR
Plant cloning or genetic engineering
Can you take one genome (strain) and take a clean cut and put onto another plant another strain?
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Rogue River, OR
Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon
I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help.
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Rogue River, OR
Error on message from Rogue River OR
Previous message regarding sweet peas and how to get them growing was submitted with wrong state - It went out Rouge River, Rhode Island -- Should have been Rouge River, Oregon
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Salem, OR
Flowering evergreen plant for ceramic pot
I have a deep ceramic pot that I would like to put in a flowering evergreen plant or bush. It is on the deck facing west but with north and south exposure and afternoon sun.
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Salem, OR
Disposal of bulbs to control Arrowhead aquatic plant
How can I kill Arrowhead permanently? I have sprayed repeated years with Roundup, Crossbow, etc., but the arrowhead comes back from the bulb the next year!
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Eagle Point, OR
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
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Williams, OR
Deer-resistant plants for Williams, OR
I live in Williams, Oregon. I would like a listing of deer resistant, drought tolerant,evergreen, fast growing, native plants that can be used as a privacy screen on property perimeter.
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Brookings, OR
Flowering plant for hillside in Brookings OR
We live on the Chetco river and the bank in front of the house is on a hill. What would be a flowering plant that would maintain the integrity of the hill?
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Aurora, OR
Plant identification
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, (love the name), I have found a plant in my yard. Underground it looks like a green onion, above ground it has a broad leaf, a thin 8-12 inch stalk and the top 2" of the stalk...
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