Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

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

Beacon, NY
Shrubs growing in riparian areas of Hudson River, NY
What are the five most common native shrubs that grow in riparian areas in Hudson Valley? Interested especially in plants that grow near/along the Hudson River (as opposed to inland woodland freshwate...
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

Newburgh, NY
Cutting back achillea in New York
Last summer I planted three gorgeous hearty achillea with flat, yellow tops, about 3 feet high or more each, in my sunny garden. But after they were done flowering, I left those very pretty brown stem...
view the full question and answer

Newburgh, NY
Plants to grow between flagstones in the Hudson River Valley of New York
I live in newburgh, ny & have aquired some bluestone. I want to do a walkway but will need a low mowable ground cover to go between the stones (not enough bluestone to cover the area. I know I have ...
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

Monroe, NY
Preservation of a Lantana Tree in New York
I have a Lantana Tree that grew beautiful over the summer, now Winter is coming and I don't know what to do with this tree, I live in Monroe, New York. Could you please help me out. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Monroe, NY
Non-native photinias in Monroe NY
Two Questions: Is the weather too cold to plant red tip photinias in Monroe NY? What is a good alternative evergreen shrub to hide chain link fence?
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

Carmel, NY
Trees & Shrubs for a NY Slope
Our community has a large steep slope (100'high by at least 600' wide) that is sunny & dry. The builders planted "wild flower seeds" on the slope that is now just weeds. We would like to know what...
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

Katonah, NY
Rain garden plants for Ketonah, NY
Rain garden plant selections for lower NY state
view the full question and answer

New City, NY
Suggestion for plants to replace grass in semi-shade in NY
I have an area that is in semi-shade but gets about 4-5 hours of sunlight in the summer. Instead of grass I would like to perhaps use wild flowers or even prairie type grasses. Any suggestions??
view the full question and answer

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

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

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

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

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

Pawling, NY
Fast growing groundcover for New York
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I love your site! But I can't quite find this answer: can you recommend a fast-growing groundcover native to southern NY State (Dutchess County) that I can plant NOW (Augus...
view the full question and answer