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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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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

Kinston, NC
Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC
I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you.
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Kinston, NC
Can Flame Acanthus grow in North Carolina, from Kinston NC
Can I grow the flame acanthus (humming bird bush) in eastern North Carolina. If so where can I find it. Thanks,
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Goldsboro, NC
Holding soil on a bank in Goldsboro, NC
I live in Goldsboro, NC on a small ridge with a very steep bank on one side of our property. What native plants can we plant on the bank to help hold the soil. Also, what would be best to plant on t...
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Goldsboro, NC
Transplanting an immature Sweet Bay Magnolia
Hi Mr. Smarty Pants: I just found what I think is a Magnolia Sweet Bay growing wild next to an oak and a pine tree in my back wooded yard. It has blooms on it and is about 2 feet tall. There are tw...
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Goldsboro, NC
Identification of strange tiny creature in plant water
I have a house plant rooted in water. I has been for over a year and the plant seems healthy, I change the water often and keep it clean. I now have noticed that something is growing it. A fish type o...
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Goldsboro, NC
Correcting overgrown Savannah holly in Goldsboro NC
I have an overgrown Savannah Holly. How do I go about correcting?
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Goldsboro, NC
Fast growing shade tree for Goldsboro NC
What is a good tree to plant in Goldsboro North Carolina to provide shade and a fast growing tree?
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New Bern, NC
Plant ID of growth on wild grape vine in New Bern NC
There are purplish cone-shaped things growing on my wild grape vine. What are they?
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Jacksonville, NC
Campsis radicans or cow itch
We cleaned my father-in-law's home-place up out in the country week-before-last. My wife, her 2 sisters and a niece have this unusual-looking poison on them. It is big red places and itches all ove...
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Jacksonville, NC
Ailing non-native red tip photinia
My red tips look like they are brittle and the leaves are spotted. What do I do?
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midway park, NC
Identification of palm plant
Hello! I just bought a tiny 10" tall feather leafed palm. I did my research first though, and thought I was buying an areca palm. Now after doing more research, I really have no idea what type of pal...
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Stella, NC
Transplanting Agave havardiana in Stella NC
We have a havard century plant in a large pot outside that has a couple of "baby" plants starting to emerge on the outer perimeter of the plant. Can we sucessfully transplant these babies elsewhere ...
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Hubert, NC
Transplant of non-native Lathyrus tuberosus in North Carolina
I have a tuberous sweetpea vine that grows wild on our property. When would be a good time to move this plant to a better location?
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Newport, NC
Salt and wind tolerant plants for small containers in NC
We need two plants that will go in raised planters. Will be in full sun with lots of wind. Salt water nearby. Will have to keep plants sorta short I guess. We cannot find anything, although we see...
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Burgaw, NC
Damage from Hurricane Irene in Burgaw, NC
We live in Burgaw, NC and have begun the clean up efforts of Hurricane Irene which has made a full grown crape myrtle lean to one side. Its a very large tree and it is not uprooted. Is there anyway ...
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Holly Ridge , NC
Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC
We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare?
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Emerald Isle, NC
Transplanting non-native yellow lantana in Emerald Isle, NC
We live in Emerald Isle, NC. Can we transplant yellow lantana? It is not really a perennial but appears to be one at the coast. If so, when do you transplant?
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N. Topsail Beach, NC
Source for Century Plant in Wilmington NC
Where can I buy a Century plant in the Wilmington NC area?
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Topsail Island, NC
Need suggestions for trees to withstand high winds on Top Sail Island, North Caroloina.
Moving to coastal southern North Carolina. Planting native trees and shrubs, wax bayberry, Redbud, love the River Birch. What type of tree has the deepest roots or would be least likely to blow over...
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clayton, NC
Need a good plant for Clayton, NC.
What would be a good plant for Clayton,NC for this time of year. I would like for it to come back every year so I don't have to replant. I have several full sun areas that I need to cover in the fron...
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Clayton, NC
Safe branch length of oaks in Clayton NC
I have 2 very large oak trees in my yard and I am concerned about the length of the branches over the house and driveway. Most seem larger than 4" in diameter. What is a safe length for these branc...
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