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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Keysville, VA
Plant identification
Identification of woodland plant in a rual area ?
we have bears britches and another plant simaler, but the leaves are flat and smooth, each leaf is on a seperate stalk and each plant has 3 stalk...
view the full question and answer
Victoria, VA
Native plants for a barrier hedge
Is there a native hedge I can plant to provide privacy? I have hostile neighbors behind me and would rather plant a hedge than put up a fence. I looked through the Virginia native species and didn'...
view the full question and answer
Victoria, VA
Large weed removal in Victoria VA
I have a weed problem. Along my house and garage are several weeds that have grown to small-tree size. I plan to rip them out of the ground as soon as it cools off, but I've done this before and they...
view the full question and answer
Farmville, VA
Volunteer bluebonnets in Farmville VA
I have two small Texas bluebonnet plants that came with no instructions as to how to plant them regarding soil or sun. Everything I read has to do with seeds, can you please help me?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Cumberland, VA
Plant identification
Found thorny bush in woods near my home that I need to identify. It is a tall shrub (approx. 10 feet) that has very large thorns on its green branches. I don't see any flowers yet. It doesn't appear...
view the full question and answer
Bracey, VA
Stabilizing a lakeside slope from Bracey, VA
We are trying to beautify and stabilize a relatively large lakeside steep slope with a southern exposure in central Virginia. The soil is characterized by red clay and shale rock. How can we turn this...
view the full question and answer
Gladstone, VA
Non-native banana trees
I recently planted two types of Banana trees, a Darjeeling and a Giant Nepal. I know that both are hardy to my zone 7 but that the Nepal needed heavy mulching. My first question is how long will it ta...
view the full question and answer
Alton, VA
Can foxglove poison be transmitted to the soil and taken up by another plant
Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
Recently I discovered a Foxglove that had come up after being planted 2 or 3 yrs ago. Next to it I have some medicinal Feverfew growing. (They were so close together I suspec...
view the full question and answer
Lynchburg, VA
Plants for steep slope in Virginia
Please help! Looking for landscaping ideas for a very large Steep hill. Features: slope is approximately 45-60 degrees, clay soil mixed with fill dirt, lots of deer, partial sun, seeking minimal maint...
view the full question and answer
Powthan , VA
Reproducing Echinacea 'Sunbeam' from Powthan VA
I would like to reproduce a flowering plant- Sundown echinacea. I have a plant now. Can you give me info on how to do it? thanks so much.
view the full question and answer
Dinwiddie, VA
Identification of a plant saprophytic on oaks
What is name of plant poking up through the leaves near base of oak tree that appears as a cluster of yellow-brown stalks that resemble small pinecones or pineapples or cobs of corn?
view the full question and answer
Roxboro, NC
Plant identification of tree in North Carolina
I live in North Carolina have found a tree on our property that has thorny branches and round fruit (perfectly round) with a fuzzy outer layer that starts out green but then turns yellow. The inside r...
view the full question and answer
Chesterfield, VA
Problem with Salvia Mystic Spires in Chesterfield VA
Last August, our local Lowes had these beautiful, unusual blue perennials on the discount rack called "Salvia Mystic Spires". For 50 cents each, they looked terrific, so I bought all they had, about...
view the full question and answer
Chesterfield, VA
Native shrub for Chesterfield VA
Need a native shrub for the north side of our house that is deer resistant, not overly sensitive to wind, and can tolerate clay soil. Preferably 3-8 feet. Thanks for your help.
view the full question and answer
Midlothian, VA
Replacement of non-native red tip photinias in Midlothian VA
I need to replace our long lived red tips. They are now diseased. I would like a fast growing bush that I can trim and make a hedge with. Any suggestions
view the full question and answer
Midlothian, VA
Why is my weeping willow looking so bad?
My weeping willow suddenly up and looked like it died Yellow leaves dried up and dropping off It is planted in what is called "Wet lands" Clay soil water wet Just looks like it is dying
view the full question and answer
Kents Store, VA
Balancing bloom in beds in Kents Store VA
Our beds along a walkway in rural Central VA have replanted themselves - oenethera speciosa and dwarf yarrow have abandoned the north bed and are flourishing in the south bed. Sedums, lavender and can...
view the full question and answer
Troy, VA
What is the growth rate of the table mountain pine in zone 6 & 7?
How fast growing is the table mountain pine in Zones 6 and 7 in the Appalachians? What is the growth rate?
view the full question and answer
Troy, VA
What kind of native Junipers will grow in zone 7?
What kinds of native Juniper will grow in zone 7 ? (besides Juniperus scopulorum
and J.virginiana).
view the full question and answer
Henrico, VA
Erosion Control in a Mid-Atlantic Shoreline
My family owns a riverfront property off of Machodoc Creek which runs into the Potomac on the Virginia side. The water is roughly 3 feet deep at the shoreline and concrete cylinders are used to contro...
view the full question and answer
Henrico, VA
Native flowering vine for trellis in shade in Henrico, VA
I live in Henrico, Virginia and have a trellis in a shady area. I am looking for a native vine to grow, preferably one that flowers and attracts birds and/or butterflies. What do you advise?
view the full question and answer