Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

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...
view the full question and answer

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?
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

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!
view the full question and answer

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.
view the full question and answer

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?
view the full question and answer

Georgetown, KY
Difference between Convallaria majalis and Convallaria majuscula
How do you tell the difference in the native convallaria from the European species?
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

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 ...
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

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 ...
view the full question and answer

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.
view the full question and answer

Eminence, KY
Identity of plant in Kentucky with fuzzy grayish-green leaves
I would like to know about a plant that I do not know what it is. I had this plant just come up in my flowerbed, that looked like a tobacco plant but the leaves looked like a lambs ear plant. It was ...
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

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,...
view the full question and answer

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...
view the full question and answer

Vevay, IN
Native plants for under a pine tree in Vevay IN
At our office we have a very nice garden however, in the front we have a large pine tree. We cannot get anything to take root & live there. Do you have any suggestions for a native shrub or perennia...
view the full question and answer

bardstown, KY
Deer resistant vines for Kentucky
Is there a vine I can grow on my garden fence to deter deer?
view the full question and answer

LaGrange, KY
Wintering over an Angel Trumpet in Kentucky
I have an Angel Trumpet on my deck in LaGrange,Ky -Can I plant it out in the yard now or do I have to take it in the house for the winter- It is 5 feet tall and I have no room in the house! Help!-Than...
view the full question and answer

Crestwood, KY
Why do some plants resprout in Spring from Crestwood KY
I am a 5th grade student at Crestwood Elementary School; and one of my classmates came up with an excellent question that I can not answer. Here it is: Why do some plants (like bulbs) resprout in ...
view the full question and answer

Crestwood, KY
Stabilizing a steep slope in KY
We are building a new home and have a very steep hill behind the home. Our highlift operator just cleared it off - I would say about 15 to 20 feet in height and at least 150 feet in length. What wou...
view the full question and answer