Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Questions From Near You
Toledo , OH
Hummingbird plants for OH
We live in Toledo, Ohio and would like to have a Hamelia patens or firebush to attract hummingbirds; we are in their migration path. Would it survive outdoors or do we need to pot and move it indoors ...
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Perrysburg, OH
Native tree for Perrysburg OH
Can you recommend a small tree 15-20 feet for Perrysburg Ohio that does not produce seeds/berries/nuts etc, has large leaves and is pest resistant? Low maintenance
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Sylvania, OH
Non-native Purple Hyacinth from Sylvania OH
I am wondering if I plant a Purple Hyacinth Bean vine seed under a tree and allow it to grow up the tree trunk, will it kill the tree?
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Sylvania, OH
Is a yucca going to have a stalk from Sylvania OH
Hi, I was wondering if the stalk on a yucca plant grows back every year after it is cut off? How to tell if it is going to have a stalk because some of my yucca's do not have one? Thank you for your ...
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Sylvania, OH
Plant identification
I've lived at my apartment complex for a year now and this current spring/summer I noticed the grounds keeper leaving a fern like plant that is approx. 1-2 feet tall and approx. 1 foot wide. It's le...
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Oak Harbor, OH
Photo of plant Beggar Tick
I am looking for information and a photo of the plant Beggar Tick.
Thank you.
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Adrian, MI
Winter pruning for yucca in Adrian, Michigan
Can I cut yucca plants down for winter months.
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Brownstown, MI
Help with control of small, invasive groundcover
I have a very invasive ground cover creeping into my yard. I've tried to identify it and it's similar to creeping charlie or garlic mustard. Leaves are triangular with jagged edges, small purple f...
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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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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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Ypsilanti, MI
Plants that might absorb moisture from air
I am searching for a plant that will reduce the relative humidity of a building. I work for a manufacturing company that is experiencing problems with water condensing on ceilings and equipment due t...
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Ypsilanti, MI
Sources of information on native plants iin Ypsilanti, Michigan area
Hello, I am a scout with Troop 243. I am interested in knowing if you have information available to give me regarding the Native Plants that have been discovered in the Ypsilanti, Michigan area. I n...
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Tiffin, OH
Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH
What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms?
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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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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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Bellevue, OH
Deadheading a petunia and why
Can you please tell me the correct way to de-head a petunia and why?
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Canton, MI
Shape of common ninebark in Canton MI
I have planted one center glow ninebark in a triangular area in between my front walk and driveway. It looks a little odd just having one plant, but I originally did this b/c of the mature plant heig...
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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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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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