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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.

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Winter Haven, FL
Plants to grow in shady sand in Florida
We live in central Florida (directly between Orlando and Tampa). Our yard is mostly sand for soil and difficult parts in shade almost all day from large trees. What ground cover (grass) and hedges can...
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Lakeland, FL
Erosion control from Lakeland FL
What native Ground cover is best for erosion control on slope of lake-front? Prefer not too invasive for this northern facing area behind a seawall and near large Oak tree.
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Lakeland, FL
Identity of vines in Florida
Hello, I have 2 different types of vines growing in my shrubs. They are very pretty and I like them I just want to know if they are poisonous or if they will take over my shrubs. I have not been able ...
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Lakeland, FL
Plant identification
I have a plant that looks like a suculent tree with a canopy like an umbrella. It grows every summer & is no more than 5 ft tall. It has tiny spines on it's trunk, which has white spots on it. the en...
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Lakeland, FL
Asclepias with whitish discoloration
I have red/scarlett milkweed planted in my yard. The leaves have a whitish discoloration on the top of some of the leaves and it is spreading. What is it? What do I do about it?
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Lakeland, FL
Dirt piled up around trunk of cypress tree in Lakeland FL
I have a 30-40 foot cypress tree that has just started looking like it is dying..limbs on top are drooping badly. In April of this year we put probably 3 feet of dirt/clay around the bottom of it, wa...
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Lakeland, FL
Growth rate for eucalyptus in Florida
How fast does eucalyptus grow in Florida?
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Lakeland, FL
Dirt around bald cypress in Lakeland FL
Dirt around trunk of cypress.. Our tree is a Bald Cypress. We dug a hole to install a jacuzzi and put the dirt/clay around the trunk of the cypress to level the area out. I also laid several flag s...
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Lakeland, FL
Controlling live oak sprouts in Lakeland FL
We had a live oak taken down last year. We now have sprouts we cannot get rid of and they continue to multiply invading the lawn. We did not have this problem so much when the tree was there. Is ther...
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Kissimmee, FL
Eradicating Campsis radicans in Kissimee FL
I am interested in information on eradicating or controlling 'cow itch' [campsis radicans?] which is spreading on an empty lot of land adjacent to an occupied dwelling. It is causing significant dis...
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Kissimmee, FL
Need source of Texas Madrone seeds or seedlings in Kissimmee FL.
Where can I can purchase seeds or seedlings for a Texas Madrone Tree? I appreciate your help. Thank you,
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Fort Meyers, FL
Recommend native plants Florida
I live in Fort Meyers Florida. Can you recommend some good native tress and shrubs for my landscape?
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Fort Myers, FL
Texas sage losing inner leaves
I have a Texas Sage bush that on the outside is beautiful with green leaves. The inside branches (the middle) of the bush are bare of any leaves. Why?
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Fort Myers, FL
Native plants for a littoral zone in Fort Myers, Florida
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, What native plants would you recommend for the littoral zone on a pond in Fort Myers Florida? Damon's Mom
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St. Cloud, FL
Wildflowers for high canal bank in Florida
My home is on a canal to a natural lake in Central Florida (Orlando area). I am wondering if there is a wildflower that I can grow on a 3' high canal bank that is mostly shady.
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Brandon, FL
Can you grow Texas bluebonnets in Florida?
Can you grow Texas Bluebonnets in mid-Florida?
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Brandon, FL
Screening plant for wall in Florida
Hi Mr. Smarty Pants, I live near Tampa, FL and I want to put a line of privacy plants/hedges along a brick wall. The wall is 6' high with openings in the top 3' of the wall. The length of the w...
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Clermont, FL
Tree or shrub for acoustical protection in Clermont FL
What type of tree or shrub would be best to lower the db level of freeway noise in Central Florida? I live about 3/4 of a mile from a freeway but due to the wind and hills it causes the noise to bounc...
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Riverview, FL
Plant identification
I was just in Alabama this weekend and all alongside the road-side were these georgeous pink flowers. I finally stopped to pick one and thet are even prettier up close! The stem is smooth and leafle...
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Winter Garden, FL
Plants for pool area in Florida
My husband and I have a pool with 4 planters and are looking for plants that we can put into our screened in pool area. We live in Central Florida and looking for ideas of plants that are slow growin...
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Wesley Chapel, FL
Ground cover for damp areas
I am looking for a cover ground plants that tolerate damp areas. Any suggestions?
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