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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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Questions From Near You

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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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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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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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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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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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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Carlisle, PA
Plant to cover retaining wall in Carlisle PA
I have a block retaining wall in my back yard. I need to find a quick growing plant that will grow through late summer into fall and cover the wall with limited sunlight.
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Carlisle, PA
Evergreen ground cover for PA
I live outside of Harrisburg, PA. We are looking for a perennial ground cover that is long blooming and evergreen. It would be planted under some trees that would give them the whole range of sun (f...
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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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Mechanicsburg, PA
Non-vascular moss between flagstones in Mechanicsburg PA
We would like to plant moss between our flagstone. However, the moss will have full sun all day. Can you recommend a moss for Central Pennsylvania near Harrisburg?
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Dover, PA
Lantana in hanging basket not blooming in Dover PA
We have a lantana Bandana trailing gold in a hanging planter in full sun. It hardly blooms. Any suggestions?
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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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Chambersburg, PA
Non-native Royal Empress tree with only green leaves from Chambersburg PA
I have 3 Royal Empress trees in my yard that are between 2-4 yrs old and have never been any color other then big Green leaves. Do you know when they will turn Purple?
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Landisburg, PA
Lycopodium digitatum for Christmas wreaths
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, That's it! The plant "Lycopodium Digitatum" posted on your website on Dec. 20, 2008 in response to my question about the proper name of "Crow's Feet" is indeed the pla...
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Landisburg, PA
Ground cover for a bank in PA
I live in Landisburg, PA, (zone 6). I need to find some ground cover for a primarily full sun bank that is roughly 10-12' down over the embankment and up to 100' long. This area wraps around our po...
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Landisburg, PA
Plant called crows foot/feet used to make wreaths at Christmas
In Pennsylvania there was a green ground hugging vine I knew as "crow's feet/foot" we used in the 1950s at Christmas time for wreaths and window and door borders. It looked like a cluster of bird'...
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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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York, PA
Reference for native critical populations from York, PA
I have recently read a naysayer of native gardening. He states that native garden plants usually do not have the critical population size to be self-perpetuating. He says that one could better help 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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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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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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