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
Great Neck , NY
Wintering over of non-native Myriophyllum brasiliensis
I have a Myriophyllum brasiliensis in my outdoor fountain which I drain in the cold weather. How can I keep the plant alive over the winter? Thank you.
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Great Neck , NY
Overwintering a Juncus effusus in Great Neck, NY
Can I over winter a juncus effusus spiralis indoors or must it be kept outdoors? Whether indoors or outdoors, what is the proper way to keep it alive during the winter months?
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Floral Park, NY
Care for non-native Spathiphyllum from Floral Park, NY
I have a medium to large size friendship lily indoor plant that was once magnificent when first purchased it. I lost plenty of lush green leaves to brown spots. The health has improved( I moved locat...
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Floral Park, NY
Evergreen screening shrubs for New York
I need evergreen screening shrubs that aren't too deep. The shrubs are to be planted along an existing wrought iron fence, which is a few feet behind a children's swing set.
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Queens, NY
New York City Native Perennials for a Long Growing Season
Which native New York City perennials would be best for the longest growing season?
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Queens, NY
Propagation information from Queens NY
Hello. I would appreciate information on when to plant the following plants. I found on the USDA website that all these plants could withstand the cold. ALthough they can withstand harsh weather, ...
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Westchester, NY
Winterberry holly not fruiting
Regarding Ilex verticillata, which I have planted in a partial sun, somewhere between all dry and all wet location, i don't see any red berries, and it's mid-october. We are in the 'burbs of just ...
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New Rochelle, NY
Native plants for an outdoor wedding in New York
I am planning an outdoor wedding in New Rochelle, NY in May. We would like to use native plants. Can you suggests some that we can use in the bouquets and as potted plants? Thanks
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New Rochelle, NY
Transplanting native, protected Ostrich fern in New York
Please give advice about how to transplant Matteuccia struthiopteris. What is the best time of year to do this?
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Larchmont, NY
Shade tolerant plants for privacy from Larchmont NY
Love your site! We have a 4'x4'x50' stone wall, full sun, with a planting bed 30"H by 24"D. We're looking for privacy, so a hedge with pruning is needed. We have looked at Ilex Crenata (8'),...
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Mount Vernon, NY
Care of non-native house plant
Please let me know how to keep a dieffenbachia plant healthy and growing. I notice some leaves turn yellow. I water them once a week and keep it on the windowsill with some sunlight. Should I be do...
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Valley Stream, NY
Care for 'Winchester' honeysuckle?
I have a Winchester honeysuckle that is now in full bloom. Do I "deadhead" the blooms after they die off?
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Rosedale, NY
Herbal properties of Dicentra formosa
I would like to get some information on the Dicentra formosa plant such as the benefits of the plant. Is it poisonous? Can it be infused in an oil?
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Mamaroneck, NY
Botanical name for \
A friend gave me a garden flower plant called "clown face".
What is the botanical name and where can I get info about it?
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Bronxville, NY
Replacement of barberry hedge with native, bird-friendly plants
I am looking to replace an existing barberry hedge with a deciduous hedge, using a plant that is native to the northeast. I am in zone 6. The site is sun/part sun with decent drainage. The mature si...
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Bronxville, NY
Pollinator for Juniperus virginiana "Grey Owl"
I would like to buy Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' as a source of berries for birds. 'Grey Owl' is a female clone, so it obviously must need a male pollinator. What J. virginiana male pollinato...
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rockville centre, NY
Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY.
Took a cutting of a prickly pear cactus from my daughters garden in Harker Heights, Tx. Her plants are 5'ht.& wt. Set it into a 10" pot with garden mix soil. Early July 2012, brought it home to Long...
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Rockville Centre, NY
Prickly pear doing poorly on Long Island NY
First, thanks for your reply on 11-3-12, re.Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. The plants were set before a southern window in the attic, temp. ra...
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Rockville Centre, NY
Small native evergreen tree for Long Island, NY
Hi, I am looking for an evergreen tree to plant on Long Island NY. I plan on planting it in my front yard. At maturity to about 10-15ft about 5 ft wide. Not sure about soil, the area gets good AM sun ...
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East Meadow, NY
Dicentra Late in Emerging in the Spring
I have had a bleeding heart plant that has come up for over 50 years. This year it did not come up. Is there anything I can do? Is there a chance that it will come up next year or should I assume that...
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Baldwin, NY
Something killing evergreens on Long Island from Baldwin NY
What seems to be killing so many of the evergreens on Long Island - see more and more dying each day - doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason - can it be helped? Many thanks.
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