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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.

Questions From Near You

Dearborn, MI
Planting onions in Michigan
Hello, I live in Mi in zone 5. Can I plant green onions now (7/30/09)? And will they have enough time to have for an October-ish harvast? Thanks
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Dearborn, MI
Failure to thrive of Eastern Redbud in Dearborn, MI
Our Eastern Redbud, multi-stem tree has done well for several years. This year the pods did not fall off, the tree looks anemic, lots of dead stems, no pink blooms this spring. What can we do??
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Taylor, MI
Butterfly Garden, non-poisonous to Dogs, in Taylor MI
I have a small fenced yard with a patio that my dogs have free access to. I would like to create a butterfly garden and add other plants that are non toxic to my dachshunds. Any suggestions. I am f...
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Taylor, MI
Plant Identification
I live in southeastern Michigan. I found a plant growing in the backyard that caught my eye. I chalked it off as a weed, but it's unique. It is shaped like a bushing type plant, has red stem, each cl...
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Ecorse, MI
Want to replace lawn in Ecorse, Michigan.
Hi! I want to replace my lawn, and not have to mow it much at all. What would you suggest? It will be walked on and utilized as a normal lawn. Thanks!
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Westland, MI
Birds swarming around Sugar Maple trees in Westland MI
I just read in the native plant database that Sugar Maple trees attract birds. I've notice especially now towards Autumn there is an abundance of birds that flock to this tree at 6:30 pm. There are...
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Detroit, MI
What can be planted under a pine tree in Detroit, MI?
What type of plant would you suggest I plant under my big (Blue bruce) pine tree? It's about 25 ft high and the branches are trimmed to about 4 feet up, so it does get some light but mostly shade.I a...
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Detroit, MI
Do Banana Plants Grow in Galveston, Texas?
Do banana plants grow on Galveston island?
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Detroit, MI
Corkscrew willow damage to roof in Detroit, MI.
I have a corkscrew willow (Detroit, MI) that is huge and whose branches hang on top of the asphalt shingles of my mobile home. It has now been discovered that these shingles, under the branches, are ...
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Detroit, MI
Evergreen shrubs for Michigan
I'm seeking a small-medium, ornamental, fairly compact, evergreen shrub to complement my front yard woodland wildflower garden. I want a shrub that will flank both sides of my front porch steps. I wa...
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Livonia, MI
Perennial summer blooming plant for Livonia, MI
I want to find a plant that I can cut back in the fall, will come back in the spring, flower throughout the summer, be a medium size plant, no taller than 48", about 36" in diameter. It would get f...
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Livonia, MI
Is a height of 5 to 8 feet forOenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) normal?
I have identified a version of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennia L. In my yard, Livonia Michigan. These plants range in height from 5-8+ feet. Is this typical? The references I find indicates 3-5 fe...
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Livonia, MI
Vine for screening fence in Michigan
Need a perennial vine to grow on a chain link fence, full sun, moist ground. Wanted to block view. If it flowers and/or attracts butterflies, all the better.
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Romulus, MI
Possibility of Oenothera flava growing in Michigan
Oenothera flava (A. Nels) Garrett, is it true that this plant is not in Michigan? Is it rare or something? Because I had a hard time trying to find out what it was.
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Romlulus, MI
What plants can be moved from Romulus MI to Cleveland TX?
I presently live and garden in Michigan, but will be re-locating in the next year to Cleveland Texas. What plants, if anything, can or should I bring to Texas?
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Canton, MI
Shrub that does not attract birds in Michigan
Does a "Center Glow" ninebark have seeds? I want a shrub that does NOT attract birds!
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Canton, MI
Pruning of non-native weigela and roses
I have a Red Prince wiegala (spelling?) and while most of the branches have leaves and red flowers, there are some branches that never produced any leaves or flowers. Should I prune them? If so, can...
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Canton, MI
Pruning non-native razzmatazz rose from Canton MI
I have 5 "hardy" rosebushes called "Razzamatazz" which are about 3 years old. I don't know how to prune them properly. I do cut the dead bloom back just before the "leaf of 5", which seems to...
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Canton, MI
Problems with Thuga occidentalis in Canton MI
I have emerald arborvitae that have become very "shaggy" and somewhat orange at the base of some leaves, while my neighbors look compact and dark green. What am I doing wrong?
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Canton, MI
Identification of red leaf tree with wispy, feathery plumes on top
I am looking for the name of a red leaf shrub/small tree that has feather like, wispy plumes which grow out of the top most branches. I do not have a photo. I live in Canton, MI.
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Canton, MI
Hardy shrub for Canton, MI
I have an 8' x 8' area between my front walk and driveway. I am interested in filling up the space (especially in height) with a shrub or tree. This area gets a lot of wind in the cold MI winter,...
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