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
Riverton, CT
Problems with redbud in CT
My Eastern redbud was planted 4 years ago and has been fine. This Spring it was beginning to pop out buds. Less than a week later, after returning from a trip all the buds were dead, never flowered, ...
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Simsbury, CT
Is Rosa rugosa poisonous?
Are beach plums from a Rosa rogosa poisonous?
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Southwick, MA
Identification of blue wildflower on roadsides in Massachusetts
What is the blue wildflower planted on roadsides and highways in Massachusetts?
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East Granby, CT
Invasive native wild onions in East Granby CT
I have wild onions which have become extremely invasive. I have no idea how to get rid of them, and this year they seem to have taken over my entire flower bed. I tried pulling the bulbs out for sever...
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Westfield, MA
Identification of tree or shrub in Massachusetts
Good morning,
We are in Zone 5 and have a tree/shrub I cannot identify in the backyard of our new home. Tall (6')and growing, green stems,and when the stems are broken the branches smell of lemon o...
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Monterey, MA
Native plants for septic system in Massachusetts
What native plants can grow on a septic mound safely for the septic system?
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Monterey, MA
Getting rid of Japanese bindweed in Massachusetts
How do you get rid of Japanese Bindweed (mile-a-minute)?
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Windsor Locks, CT
Is Echinacea poisonous to cats?
Is the echinacea plant poisonous to cats?
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West hartford, CT
Growth rate of the American beech tree from West Hartford CT
What is the growth rate of an American beech tree?
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West Hartford, CT
Native trees for privacy screen in Connecticut
I am looking to replace a row of white pine trees with something else along the border between our yard and neighbor's yard. We only get afternoon sun and we need something that will grow to around ...
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Sheffield, MA
Sources of information for design of prairie meados in Georgia
Dear Ms. Smarty Plants,
I am designing a prairie meadow in Covington GA (Zone 7) at the edge of piedmont and coastal ecosystems, primarily lower piedmont. I am trying to restore a 1/2-acre site over ...
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Salisbury, CT
Native plants to retain slope in Salisbury, CT
We want to plant a newly dug out slope with native plants that will retain the dirt. It is sun to part sun near a lake summer cottage. Thanks!!!
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Hartford, CT
Recommendation for red raspberry species for Connecticut
Hello, I was wondering if you could recommend any red raspberries that I can grow in Connecticut. Thanks!
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Hartford, CT
Learning to garden from Hartford CT
Hello, I just recently found an interest in gardening, and have discovered "cultivars." I am having trouble finding what exactly a cultivar is, and if they are bad or not. Can culltivars ever occur ...
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Warren, CT
Do I need to plant a male winterberry? yes
I planted a female winterberry in early July & although I have been watering it regularly the leaves turned brown on the tips in Sept. No berries yet so will I have to plant a male? Thanks, Carol
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Longmeadow, MA
Plants available for viewing in Wildflower Center in October
We are thinking of bringing a group to visit the Wildflower Center during the weekend of my son's wedding in Austin in early October. Will there be much to see at the garden at that time of year?
...
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New Britain, CT
Non-blooming rhododendron in Connecticut
A two or three yr old rhododendron has not blossomed - ever! All other plants in landscape doing well, but not this one. Help
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Gt. Barrington, MA
Sources of native herbaceous plants for Massachusetts
Hi,
I am looking for sources of native herbaceous plants, ideally in plug form, and wondered if you had a list you could send me.
Thanks.
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Springfield, MA
Plant identification from Springfield MA
We have a house next to us that is vacant. The lawn has not been mowed in months. a tall flower has grown amongst the grass and weeds. It is about 3 to 4 feet tall green stem and the flower is about 2...
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Springfield, MA
Locating Rosa rugosa for Massachusetts
There is a shrub that grows out on the Cape especially at the beach. I have always called it Beach Rose and I have heard other people call it a Beach Plum. However, the most recent picture of a Beac...
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Washington, CT
How to get rid of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
We have an enormous stand of japanese polygonum that we are trying to get rid of. What soil type is the most inhospitable to this aggressive and highly invasive species? Were thinking of planting so...
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