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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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Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

London, KY
Identification of shrub with red berries in Kentucky
I live in Laurel CO, KY. I am trying to identify a shrub/tree. The leaves are green and may turn reddish orange. There are huge pods of red berries hanging.
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woodbine, KY
Need plants to cover hillside and control erosion in Woodbine, Kentucky
I live in eastern Kentucky. I have a hillside that is full of weeds how do I get rid of the weeds and what can I plant to cover it. This hillside is not walkable. Is there some kind of vine ? There is...
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Lancaster, KY
Identification of orange hydrangea-like flower
I am trying to identify a tree...It is a tree like bush if that makes any sense...It has tree limbs and it is bushy like a bush...I thought it might be a hydrangea bush that grows straight up instead ...
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Richmond, KY
Eliminating kudzu from Richmond KY
I live in Richmond KY, Kirksville area. I have noticed that Kudzu has started to grow in my patch of land next to the creek. How can I get rid of this before it becomes a big problem?
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Parksville, KY
Identification of alien-looking plant
I have a plant that grows 4-5 feet tall, it has pretty "alien looking" flowers with "pods" under flower, and marijuana looking leaves and smell. My neighbor gave me a start last year, and it has ...
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winchester, KY
Need plants for a slope in KY.
I have a slope in my back yard that is mostly a slate shelf, grass and Weeds will grow but not well, very spotty. I am wanting a ground cover that blooms. Would like to not have to mow. This is a ve...
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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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Jamestown, TN
Plant identification
I have found a small tree like plant that is small and the stem or trunk was thin and the leaves look like fern leaves. I also found a larger one it was thicker and closer to the ground the leaves wer...
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Lexington, KY
Cold hardiness of Liatris bulbs
I live in Lexington KY - This spring I planted Liatris or Blazing Stars. Should I take up the bulbs and replant in spring or leave them in the ground?
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Lexington, KY
Need a perennial plant for a cemetery plot in Lexington, KY.
What type of perennial plants to place on a cemetery plot in Lexington, KY. Receives afternoon sun.
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Lexington, KY
Storm damage to native sweet bay magnolias in Kentucky
Can you please share information on storm damage to sweet bay magnolias; if the top is broken off can the tree maintain its natural shape or will the sides begin to grow more than the top; i.e., growt...
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Lexington, KY
Blooming challenges with oakleaf hydrangea and bittersweet vine in KY
1. I cut back my oak leaf hydrangea last fall and it did not bloom this past year. Problem? 2. I have 3 yr old male/female bittersweet plants growing heartily, but no berries. Problem? Thank you!
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Eidson, TN
Trees blooming white in East Tennessee in April
What kind of tree is blooming now, 4\6\10 in the mountains of east TN. They have white blooms?
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Springfield, KY
Plants for pool area in Kentucky
We live in central Kentucky and have a backyard pool that desperately needs some landscaping. I would like plants that don't drop a lot of leaves or "trash". I'd like a list of great poolside pl...
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Morristown, TN
Plant identification
My husband brought home a plant which I have not been able to id. It is a bush, has 2 ovate to ellipse leaves, whorled, with 4 (2 pairs) smooth thin skinned (you can see white veins under the skin rad...
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Lawrenceburg, KY
Getting rid of Adams needle (Yucca filamentosa)
My friend is changing her flower beds around and is wanting to eliminate an Adam's needle that has been there for several years. She has already dug it up and now is trying to get rid of all the new...
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Oak Ridge, TN
Problems with dogwood borers in TN
What is the best way to treat native dogwoods infested with Dogwood borer insects? I have cut and removed the dead ones and the ones with large patches of bark missing but would like to save the remai...
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Oak Ridge, TN
Looking for plants for erosion control in Tennessee.
We are looking for plants native to east Tenessee that will help control erosion once the kudzu in a ravine has been removed. The site is full sun with dry soil. Moderate to fast growth and resist...
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Oak Ridge, TN
General information on native Fendlers sandwort (Arenaria fendeleri)
I am trying to locate any general information on Fendler's Sandwort. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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Georgetown, KY
Difference between Convallaria majalis and Convallaria majuscula
How do you tell the difference in the native convallaria from the European species?
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Georgetown, KY
Dying foliage on non-native Otto Luyken Laurel from Georgetown KY
I have 5 luken laurel scrubs planted around foundation. They have done very well until this last winter..the foilage is now brown and crispy. Will they come back? Do I need to prune back the damage...
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