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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Mount Kisco, NY
Privacy Screening Plant for New York Narrow Site
I need privacy screening on the side of my house in Mount Kisco, New York located 40 miles north of New York City. The area gets plenty of sun but is somewhat narrow. What evergreen bushes or trees ...
view the full question and answer
Katonah, NY
Rain garden plants for Ketonah, NY
Rain garden plant selections for lower NY state
view the full question and answer
Pleasantville, NY
Plants for elementary school grow lab in New York
What can we grow in a grow lab in our elementary school library from seed now that will bloom by June or what interesting looking established plants can we put in this grow lab that will have meaning ...
view the full question and answer
Pleasantville, NY
Native perennial roof garden plants for New York
I am looking for perennial roof gardens plants, sedum, hen and chickens, native plants. I am in zone six. They will have three inches of perilite, gravel, and compost. Can you give me a good local so...
view the full question and answer
Ossining, NY
Locating sources for bracken fern in New York
I am looking for bracken fern plants to plant in my garden. Where can I find them?
view the full question and answer
Thornwood, NY
Overwintering Cardinal Flower in Thornwood NY
I have 6 Cardinal Flower plants in planters. They have mulch on top to keep them moist. Can they stay in the planters all winter? Do I cut the stalks before winter comes or leave as is?
view the full question and answer
Westchester County, NY
Native Annual Plant Substitute for Impatiens
What can be used as an annual flowering plant to substitute for the diseased impatiens? Is Vinca one you would suggest?
view the full question and answer
Pound Ridge, NY
Source of Tridens flavus, purple-top grass
Will you kindly refer me to a grower from whom I may purchase plugs of Tridens flavus, purple-top grass. for a meadow installation in zone 6.
view the full question and answer
Somers, NY
Plants for shade native to New York
I am gradually trying to convert my garden to all natives. I am working in a shaded area under a maple tree. Are there any varieties of epimediums/barrenwort or hellebores that are native to the nor...
view the full question and answer
Valhalla, NY
Native bulbs for the northeastern U. S.
What native bulbs could we plant in the Northeast? Can they only be planted in the fall as Dutch bulbs are?
view the full question and answer
Valhalla, NY
Blooming of native swamp azalea in New York
I have a native swamp azalea, very healthy, but it has never bloomed. Do you know why or how I could get it to bloom?
view the full question and answer
Cortlandt Manor, NY
Native plants suitable for rock garden in New York
I'd like to start a rock garden. The area is very rocky, the soil is shallow and it's partially shaded. I'd like mostly perennials that flower from spring to fall. I hope to make some purchases fr...
view the full question and answer
Cortlandt Manor, NY
Trees to replace ones lost in Westchester County, NY
We lost a large number of trees in the forest adjacent to our home, and I plan to replant them. What species do you recommend to plant the area with natives and to keep it looking "natural."
view the full question and answer
Cortlandt Manor, NY
Native alternatives for non-native, invasive bamboo in New York
I hope you can help me. This is not about wildflowers. I'm interested in planting bamboo as a screen (25'+). I know all the pros/cons and would need to have a nursery to put in barrier. I need some...
view the full question and answer
Mohegan Lake, NY
Flowering Dogwood for NY
Hello - can you advise me on a disease-resistant/hardy dogwood? Every nursery I've visited has discouraged me from planting dogwoods. What would you recommend?
I live in Westchester County, NY
view the full question and answer
South Salem, NY
Identification of small plant
Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants,
We are doing a biology project where we have to identify certain plants found in our area. We encountered a infinity symbol-shaped light green plant, about 4 cm high, and light...
view the full question and answer
Mahopac, NY
Reason for tree canopy dieback from Mahopac NY
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Not a questions, just sharing, re person in Texas whose Ash Jupiter appeared to be dying "canopy very thin on top". We moved to Putnam Co. NY in 1970. Our house was shaded by...
view the full question and answer
White Plains, NY
What will grow under non-native, invasive Norway Maple in White Plains NY?
Is there anything that will grow under a Norway Maple? The soil is dry and the area is small hill next to my driveway. It is an eye sore! Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Tarrytown, NY
Need a vine to cover a chainlink fence in the shade in Tarrytown, NY.
Any advice for a vine to cover a chain link fence in shade
view the full question and answer
Tarrytown, NY
Difficult slope in Tarrytown NY
I hope you can help. Is there a way to plant some native shrubs and plants on a steep slope that is filled in some areas with rock without having to tier the slope? The section is approximately 50' w...
view the full question and answer
Tarrytown, NY
Student project on Hudson Valley, NY native plants and ecology
Mr. Smarty, Hi I am starting a project with a school group 4th-6th grade, that has a greenhouse. The goal is to teach children about native plants & ecology of the Hudson valley region in NY. We will ...
view the full question and answer