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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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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

Gainesville, FL
Soapberry; monoecious or dioecious?
I have a soapberry (Sapindus saponaria L., I believe) tree growing in my yard. I planted it 3 years ago hoping for soapberries, but have not seen any yet. It has flowered each spring, but has not set ...
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Gainesville, FL
Recipe for Sideroxylon lanuginosum (Gum bumelia) fruits
Do you have a recipe for using the fruits of Sideroxylon Lanuginosa?
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Gainesville, FL
Propagation of Agave americana by seed
Dear Mr Smarty Pants, My Century Plant is fulfilling its one wish and blooming flowers from its massive stalk. Although I am very sad to see it go, it is certainly a sight to behold. This plant, ...
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Gainesville, FL
Rooting hybrid Savannah Holly from cuttings from Gainesville FL
I need instructions on rooting the Savannah Holly from cuttings. I understand that seedlings will not be true to the parent..is this true? Please help. What type of soil mix should I use?
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Gainesville, FL
Carex texensis for Gainesville, Florida
I am interested in planting Carex texensis in Gainesville Florida (zone 9). The site is part shade with little water. However, I do not see it listed as being used anywhere in Florida. Is it restric...
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Gainesville, FL
Obtaining invasive weeds for biocontrol research in Florida
I work at the Dept. of Entomology at the University of Florida doing host range testing for biocontrol agents (insects) of invasive weeds in Florida. I need some help in getting live plants of some e...
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Middleburg, FL
Plant identification
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, Hopefully you can help identify the following plant. I've had a bush type of weed growing near my hay feeder for the cows this year that's about 2' tall has massive spikes o...
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Middleburg, FL
Weird growth on oaks in Middleburg FL
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants; I have this plant/fungus that grows on my trees here in northeast Florida & nobody has been able to identify it for me. It looks like a clump of pine needles growing on the ba...
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Bandera, TX
Mountain laurels with insect problems in Bandera, TX..
I have 3 mountain laurels about 8 yrs old. Suddenly about 3 yrs ago worms started decimating them. This yr I got dipel dust which works great but only for two weeks. I now have small red flies and ...
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Archer, FL
Non-toxic shade trees for horses in Florida
Looking for non poisonous shade trees for pasture with horses. Would prefer flowering or something that changes color. Thank you.
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Archer, FL
Planting fruit and nut trees in Archer, FL.
We're looking to plant a few fruit and nut trees in Archer, Florida. We've been thinking about figs, apples, peaches, oranges, plums, and whatever nuts grow best here (looks like almonds and pecan...
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St Johns FL, FL
Growing Chilopsis in Florida
I live in St. Johns County, FL between Jacksonville and St Augustine. I live inland, not near the beach. I bought a small desert willow plant in Victoria, TX and brought it back to FL to grow. I plan ...
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Bryceville, FL
Information about Lady Lupine (Lupinus villosus)
Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, Lady Lupine grows in our yard in northeast Florida, and I would like to learn more about it, especially the stages it goes through, like now the purple petals themselves are c...
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Ocala, FL
Eastern Red Cedar Roots
Would an Eastern Red Cedar root system damage underground irrigation pipes?
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Ocala, FL
Height of non-native gardenias
How tall does a gardenia tree get?
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Ocala, FL
Blossoms blowing off non-native navel orange tree from Ocala FL
Why do the blossoms blow off navel orange tree?
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Ocala, FL
Non-native Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae)
I have two Bird of Paradise plants on my lanai (Marion County, FL) and they are both in large pots. Nobody but me seems to like them at my house and I have been asked if I could trim all the leaves o...
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Ocala, FL
Plant identifcation
I have 3-4' high plants, spaced out thick red-greem stalks, w/slender long dark green leaves, several round "single" light lavender colored flowers 1&1/2" in circumference continuously bloom. Butt...
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Ocala, FL
Itchy hands from handling Lantana plants
I am in Ocala,FL. I pick up with my hands branches from a cut down Lantana Plant. My hands are very itchy, what can I do. THANK YOU FOR YOU.
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Ocala, FL
Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL
Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work.
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Ocala, FL
Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.
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