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
Taneytown, MD
My weeping willow is not doing well - Taneytown, MD
I have a weeping willow tree. It is in a very wet place, soil gets plenty of water, but the bark on the tree is raising up and blistering up. The leaves are very sparse on it this year. I can't se...
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Littlestown, PA
Shy blooming non-native Crape Myrtle, in Littlestown Pennsylvania
My Crape myrtle has been planted about three years, and reached a height of about 4'. It blooms late July and for the past two years, has only had one or two blooms on it. I have a lot of buds whic...
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Westminster, MD
Control of Paulownia tomentosa from Westminster MD
I have heard that there is a type of herbicide that is to be applied to slashes made in the outer layer of invasive trees such as Paulownia. This type of application is reputed to prevent the little ...
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Westminster, MD
Should non-native invasive Wisteria be planted near well and septic system?
I was told not to plant my Wisteria vine near my septic or well because the root will get into it and cause me many problems. Is this true?
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Gettysburg, PA
Chemical composition of native plants for birds
I am looking for specific information on the biochemistry/nutrition of native plants as they relate to bird nutrition. ie. protein,fat,carbohydrate,vitamin etc found in northeast woody natives for a ...
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Gettysburg, PA
Native violets under maples from Gettysburg PA
Just for your info (no need to post or reply), I saw an old post of a question of something to grow under maples. In central PA, native violets grow very well under several species of maples in lawns...
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Fairfield, PA
Non-native, invasive mimosa trees
I have a mimosa tree. The blooms on mine are very pale while I see many other trees with bright blooms. Is there anyway to change the color of the blooms? For instance, is the color due to the PH o...
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Manchester, MD
Plant identification
I picked a beautiful large red wildflower, & by the time I got home, the stem had turned "spikey" and dark black! Very ugly & a little scary as I had never heard of such a flower! Can you identify??
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Manchester, MD
Looking for crowsfoot and standing spruce for Christmas wreaths in Maryland
Hi, When I was a young child, my family would go out in the fall to pick two different plants for making Christmas wreaths. I recently found them on the farm across the street and want to make wreaths...
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Manchester, MD
Plants for a property near a conservation area in MD
Can you tell me what native plants and the type of landscaping that would be good to plant in front of a forest conservation area that is on a steep hill behind our future house? It is located in Manc...
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New Oxford, PA
Growing non-native and exotic plants in New Oxford PA
Is there a palm tree that would grow in New Oxford PA? Also do you know where I could find a place to buy Exotic and Unusual Plant Seeds from around the World. I would like one that has a good reputa...
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Hampstead, MD
What is wrong with my Weeping Willow?
I have a weeping willow tree for about 7 years. It's about 50 feet high and the bark is separating and it starting to drip and collect on trunk bottom a suds type substance. Looks like soap suds. T...
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Glenville, PA
Tall Evergreens for Pennsylvania
I want to plant tall evergreen trees that grow really tall in deep shade or that I can plant already fairly large and withstand the shock of planting in a mature state and live in deep shade. I thank ...
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Frederick, MD
Replacement of lawn with native grasses in Maryland
I live in west central Maryland within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. My soil is heavy clay and nutrient deficient. I have/am planting native flower beds and a vegetable garden in an effort to reduce...
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East Berlin, PA
Safe to plant Wisteria frutescens near a foundation?
I am interested in planting a Wisteria frutescens 'Nivea'. It will be next to a house foundation wall. Could you tell me what type of root system it has? Would it be a root that would dama...
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Reisterstown, MD
Need replacements for old arborvitaes destroyed by snow and ice in Reisterstown, MD.
Our big old arborvitaes have been destroyed by snow and ice. Rather than a fence we would like to use plants/bushes for privacy. We live in zip 21136. This would extend all across the back property l...
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Aspers, PA
Need a recommendation for a fast growing shade tree near Gettysburg PA
I am looking to plant a fast growing shade tree with non-invasive roots. I live in south central Pennsylvania just north of Gettysburg PA.
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Middletown, MD
Eliminating crabgrass in Middletown MO
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am having trouble with my lawn, specifically with the crabgrass in it. It now covers over 1/3 of it. I started using corn gluten meal this year, with limited tangible succ...
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Seven Valleys, PA
Toxic trees and shrubs in Pennsylvania
I have a long property edge that I have been gradually transforming from a former cattle pasture into a hedgerow of native trees and shrubs. Cattle still graze on the other side. Are there any toxic...
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Railroad, PA
Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
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Granite, MD
Getting rid of invasive, non-native Ailanthus altissimma, Tree of Heaven
We live in Granite, MD and are trying to get rid of an invasive "tree of heaven". Based on a recommendation from a website dedicated to eradicating invasive plants,my husband cut down the tree which...
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