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Marshall, NC
Plant identfication
I found a shrub I like because of the black fruit that birds like to eat but I don't know what it is. It looks similar to a blackhaw but the edges of the leaves are smooth not jagged. The fruit is a...
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Asheville, NC
Are leaves of banana trees poisonous?
are the leaves of banana trees poisonous? the tree will be in a preschool classroom How do i care for the tree?
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Asheville, NC
Native grass and/or wildflower seed mix for erosion control in North Carolina
I'm looking for a native grass and/or wildflower seed mix to control erosion on a new mountain road in a pine forest (red clay dirt). The soil is dry and partly shaded, depending on the hour of the d...
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Asheville, NC
Vines for arbor in North Carolina
Please identify vines that can be used for an arbor that fronts my garage and a portion of the house. Living in Zone 6, the arbor faces southwest. My interest is that the vine be non-invasive because...
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Asheville, NC
Are Carolina Cherry Laurel seeds poisonous from Asheville NC
I have a Carolina cherry laurel in my back yard that is dropping berries into my vegetable garden beds. May be a silly question, but will the berries poison the plants (and me) when I eat them?
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Asheville, NC
Ground cover that won't hide snakes from Asheville NC
I have an unusual situation: several bare areas in an otherwise wooded area, which receive partial sun, and are not near water -- it rains here frequently, but the soil can become quite dry at times. ...
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Asheville, NC
Schedule for planting perennial wildflowers from Asheville NC
When is the best time to plant perennial wildflowers?
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Asheville, NC
Economical, low maintenance plants for erosion control on a bank
Please advise of all species suitable for preventing bank erosion, specifically those that will cover a southern exposure 400 foot long, 15 foot high bank in western North Carolina that grows rapidly ...
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Ash Ville, NC
Seeking information on Crateeva asiatica, non-native herbal medicine
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I had a look at your website in hope of finding information about the plant Crateeva asiatica. Could you kindly help me to locate the information for the same?
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Hampton, TN
Plant Identification in Tennessee
I live in upper East Tennessee and all my life I have seen a flowering bush we call a Bubbie (or Bubby). It grows to an average approximate height of 6 feet and blooms in the early summer. The blooms ...
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Jonathan, NC
Need suggestions for cold resistant, hardy hedge plant in Jonathan, NC.
I'm looking for a Full sun, cold resistant, hardy, non-invasive plant to be used for a property line hedge for North Carolina. Preferably NOT slow growing. What can you suggest?
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Arden, NC
Accompanying plant for non-native dianthus in Arden NC
Hi,I have dianthus and need a small plant-full sun to go with it down both sides of our driveway-thanks
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Greeneville, TN
Identification of vine with dangling fruit
I live in a hollow with rolling hills all around. there are wild grape vines, wild cherry trees, walnut trees, rasberry canes, black berry canes, a persimmon tree,(the asgtringent kind), maples, hicor...
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Green Mountain, NC
Sunflower with large, thick, fuzzy leaves
Hello Smarty Plants: I live in Green Mt. NC and am a Master Gardener Volunteer in Buncombe County (Asheville). In summer several years ago we visited a garden which had a beautiful sunflower with lar...
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Cosby, TN
Smarty Plants on cross pollination
I live in Cosby, TN in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I plant native species of wildflowers and shrubs. My question to you is: I planted cucumbers in raised beds next to t...
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Cosby, TN
Occurrence and uses of Bottle Gentian in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park
In mid October of 2008 I was at the Gilliland Cemetery in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cosby, TN. I found several flowers blooming which completely surprised me due to the time of year. I...
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Mosheim, TN
Butterfly garden for TN
Hello! I recently moved into a new house near Mosheim, Tennessee (37818) and I am wanting to start a butterfly garden. I am requesting information how to get this started. What soil, plants, and flowe...
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Etowah, NC
Identification of flower that looks like Callirhoe in NC
Have a flower similar to callirhoe, but the blossum is fuchia, not purple and the foliage is light sage in color and fuzzy. It is very invasive. What is it? If you have an email address, I can send...
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Hendersonville, NC
Retention pond from Hendersonville NC
We have a retention pond that has recently been cleaned and we would like to plant perennial native plant and grass seeds that will enhance the appearance and contribute to the natural process of filt...
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HENDERSONVILLE, NC
Plant identification
There is a sweet pea like vine that grows along the road in NC. IT is pink and looks much like a sweet pea. What is it?
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Hendersonville, NC
Need to stabilize a south facing slope in Henderson, NC
Hi, I have a south facing slope that is heavy clay with rock under it. It gets a lot of sun. I have planted a few bushes and some ground cover, but with all the snow and rain we had this past winter, ...
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