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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

Ashalnd, KY
Non-native Coleus canina, animal detererrent
I had purchased a plant about 4 years ago at Lowes that I planted in my flower gardens that was a pet deterrent. I cannot remember the name of that plant now? I have spoke to Lowes and others and I am...
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Ironton, OH
Identification of vine in Ohio
We were in our school's back yard and we found a vine that has green leaves and has a purple stem and we were just trying to figure out what is was? Can you help us out with that!
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Minford, OH
Grasses for sloped clay hillside in Ohio
I have built a new home located on a hillside, our soil has a tremendous amount of clay in it. We have a sloped hillside that flows within 25 feet to the back door. The area is wooded and therefore ...
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Nitro, WV
Tree with orange flower blooming in August in West Virginia
There is a tree with an orange flower in West Virginia. The orange is at the top of the tree and it blooms in August. I've searched your sight but cannot find it. Thanks!
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Hamden, OH
Transplanting butterfly weed in Hamden OH
I have tried transplanting butterfly weed from it's native location to my yard and each time the plant wilts and dies. Any suggestions?
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Charleston, WV
Decline in willow tree in West Virginia
I planted a willow tree about three years ago and it was progressing just beautifully with full leaves this spring in a nice green color. We staked it back about three weeks so it would grow straight...
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Charleston, WV
Need suggestions for plants to form a privacy hedge in Charleston, WV.
Mr. Smarty Pants, I live in zone 6 and an looking for an evergreen privacy type hedge that grows no taller than 10'-12'. I am not interested in any boxwood type of hedge. The evergreens would be ...
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Charleston, WV
Plant Identification
I found a purple berry-like plant in my back yard. It has no leaves, and it is about 5 or 6 inches tall. Do you know what it is called?
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charleston, WV
Silphium Perfoliatum Seeds
I am trying to identify which part of the seedhead is the actual seed of the cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum. It is hard to find images. Some show the outer, larger, flat part of the seedhead which ...
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Charleston, WV
Erosion control in Charleston WV
I live in Charleston, WV and just purchased a home that has a hill side out back that has some erosion occurring. I was wondering what would be the best ground cover to plant in my area to control the...
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Charleston, WV
Pruning a mock orange in Charleston WV
How far back and when do I prune a "Mock Orange" in order to get it to bloom?
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Kenna, WV
Plants for bridge foundation erosion control in WV .
There is a stream on my property that I must cross to get to my house from the road (stream is about 6 - 8 feet wide, with 5 to 6 foot banks). I've recently had to have the bridge repaired, and the ...
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Jeffrey, WV
Why is Mr. Smarty Plants website so useless?
Why is your site so useless?
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Elkview, WV
Removal of trumpet creeper in Elkview MI
Thank you for your informative response about the trumpet creeper. As pretty as it is- it will have to go! Trees are more important. Thanks again!
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Elkview, WV
Will trumpet vine strangle tulip poplar in Elkview WV?
I have a trumpet vine that I planted to grow up a tulip poplar. I did not find info that it may damage the tree prior to doing this but have recently been told that it will "strangle" the tree. Is...
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Pikeville, KY
Arrows and Hunting Dogs in Kentucky
Mr. Smarty Plants--Is it normal for our arrowwood viburnum to give off a musky odour in the late fall? The smell reminds me of a wet hunting dog.
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Jacksonville, OH
Plant identification
I bought a double knock-out rose bush and planted it in my yard. A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stems and stalk. Little purple flowers are grow...
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Leburn, KY
Controlling erosion in Leburn KY
I would really appreciate advice on controlling a serious erosion problem in eastern Kentucky. The slope is north facing, shady and moist with rich soil. Would prefer to use native Kentucky plants. ...
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Blackshire, OH
Mystery flower in Mesquite NY
My sister recently told me a story, that one day in the Mesquite, NV area she liked a white wildflower on the side of the road, so she went to smell it, and a car stopped and told her not to touch it,...
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Geneva, OH
Plants for a wet area in Ohio
I have a lot of water in my front yard are there any kind of plants that I can plant to drink up some of the water? I live in North East Ohio
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Bethel, OH
Will non-native Star Jasmine survive outside in winter in Ohio
Hi! I have two Star Jasmine in pots (we brought them back to southern Ohio from CA this year). Should we bring them inside for the winter? Would they do okay outside next winter if we plant them in...
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