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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!

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Questions From Near You

Boones Mill, VA
Evergreens for privacy in VA
I need fast growing evergreens or large shrubs, flowering or non-flowering, for privacy. They will need to flourish among large oak and hickory trees that are 75 plus years old. We don't want to dama...
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Roanoke, VA
Problems with wax myrtle in Roanoke, VA
Our Wax Myrtle bushes tend to lose all their foliage during the Winter months and each year seem to flesh out their leaves less with each passing Spring. One bush never returned and save for one branc...
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Roanoke, VA
When to plant non-native red-tip photinia
When do you plant the Red-Tip Photinia Flowering Shrubs in Roanoke VA?
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Roanoke, VA
Smarty Plants on thousand year old interrupted fern
We recently built a new home in the mountains of western Virginia. I am told by the local Botanist that there is a patch of "thousand year old interrupted fern" that runs through, among other pla...
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Salem, VA
Native deer-resistant plants for Virginia
I live in Roanoke/Salem Virginia and want to plant a few plants native to the area along the front yard rock wall. I would prefer they be the same, deer resistant, around 5-6 feet tall max and flower...
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Salem, VA
Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia
From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a...
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Blacksburg, VA
Native grasses and turf grass for VA
I recently moved to Blacksburg, Virginia. I am becoming involved with a church here that recently started a grounds committee. There is some discussion within the group of which varieties of native ...
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Buchanan, VA
Winter care for non-native ice plant in Virginia
I have an ice plant in my garden and it is doing very well. What would be the care for winter. Ground seldom freezes, temperatures mostly 20 but can get in single digit occasionally. Very little snow ...
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Buchanan, VA
No female, hence, no squash.
This is not a wild flower but. My grandchildren left a squash outside in a corner of a flower bed. This spring it grew. There are only male flowers, many of them, but no female, hence, no squash. Why...
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Dublin, VA
Trees for privacy shield in Dublin, Virginia
What are the best trees to plant for privacy in a small yard?
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Natural Bridge Station, BC
Source for seeds of non-native poinsettias from British Columbia
Hello, I would like to grow my own Christmas poinsettias from seed. Do you know where I may be able to purchase seeds?
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Pulaski, VA
Indoor Lantana Care from VA
I have a Lantana plant. When I moved it inside, it was fine. Then I watered it too much. Is it possible to replant( to dryer dirt) in the winter time. Is has been in the 30's here, but inside 68. ...
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Low Moor, VA
Plants to prevent bank erosion in Virginia
I am looking for good native plant choices for a steep river bank. My driveway is at the top of this slope, so I will need to avoid any plants that would cause erosion. I would prefer low shrubs.
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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...
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buena vista, VA
Herbalism and Native American EthnoBotany
What plants cure diarrhea?
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Buena Cista, VA
Plants native to South Florida and the Caribbean
What are the plants native to South Florida and the Caribbean?
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Buena Vista, VA
Smarty Plants on fungal attack
I have three plants that have been getting fungus on their soil and I've tried to get rid of it by scraping it off, watering it less and more sunlight. It's two coleus and a begonia. I don't know...
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Mount Airy, NC
Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina
I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th...
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Stokesdale, NC
Fast-growing hedge for North Carolina.
I am looking for a fast-grownig evergreen hedge that can be kept no taller than 6 feet. It will be grown in partal sun facing north
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King, NC
What is white sticky substance in the Mandevilla vine?
When I was watering my Mandevilla one of the vines broke and there was a white, sticky substance that came out of the vine. I was just curious as to what that is.
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Hinton, WV
Native plants for wildlife habitat in West Virginia
We live in the southern region of Summers County in West Virginia. Our yard has a lot of shell and small rocks in it; it is in direct sun light. I would love to have a welcoming hummingbird, butterfly...
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