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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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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!

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Questions From Near You

McCaysville, GA
Edible Plants for North Georgia
We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains. Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in...
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Blue Ridge, GA
Identification of groundcover plant in north Georgia mountains
Was trail riding in N GA mountains - saw pretty ground cover plant ? vine - small green leaves with whitish borders almost look like clover leaves and has small bright red red berries - this was Aug 2...
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Morganton, GA
Planting ornamental cherries in GA
What is the correct way to plant ornamental cherry trees in N. Georgia Mountain clay soil? Which is the hardiest variety?
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Cherry Log, GA
Native Azaleas for Southeast USA
Where can I purchase wild azaleas?
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Murphy, NC
Wildflowers for Murphy NC Clay
I live on a ridge in Murphy NC. The property has trees so most of the land is in partial shade. The soil is good 'ole mountain red clay. I have some steep bankings in front of the house that I wou...
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Ellijay, GA
Removal of Invasive Mint
The herb Mint is taking over my flower garden. How can I kill this out? Thank you,
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Delano, TN
Can I make my large pecan trees produce larger nuts?
I have 2 older large pecan trees about 40' tall but the nuts are very small, only about 1 1/2". What can I do to get larger nuts?
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Blairsville, GA
Groundcover for steep hill in Georgia
We have a large steep hill with only clay and rocks on it in the North Georgia Mountain area. What is a good Native ground covering to put on this for erosion? Something that grows fast preferably. ...
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Cleveland, TN
Pollinating Pawpaws
We have many good sized pawpaw trees in our area but they never bear any fruit. I've checked them at different times in the fall over the years but no fruit. Someone told me that the flowers were po...
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Cleveland, TN
Peak times for viewing wildflowers in Texas
We are planning a trip to Texas to see wildflowers this spring. I have time off March 17-25. Would you expect to see much in bloom then? What area might be the best to visit? Does anyone put reports o...
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Ooltewah, TN
20 years to bloom
My girlfriend and i have come up with an interesting question, we were wondering if there is a plant in existance that takes over 20 years to bloom, and how many different kinds (if any) there are? We...
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Waleska, GA
Evergreen shrubs native to North Georgia
I am looking for native plants (shrubs) that will stay green during the winter in North Georgia. We are completing a xeriscape landscape plan as a demonstration site and have many native plants donate...
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Hurst, TX
When to harvest bluebonnet seeds in Hurst TX
Can I harvest the Blue Bonnet Seeds now (April) or do I have to wait until they dry up & pods begin to open?
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Clermont, GA
Growing Mountain Laurel in Georgia
While in Texas a few months ago I saw your beautiful Sophora Secundiflora blooming and decided to bring one home to Gainesville, GA and try my luck. I have not planted it yet and it is doing well in ...
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Chattnooga, TN
Why will my Butternut trees not produce nuts in Tennessee?
I have 2 butternut trees planted about 20 ft from each other. I see the long blossoms on each tree but I have not gotten any nuts from either tree. I do not know if I have a male and female or if th...
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Loudon, TN
Native Plants for a Steep Slope in TN
Hello, I live in Knoxville, TN and have a very steep slope in our backyard. There is a lot of water erosion causing our grass to be covered with red dirt. I would love to try to plant something on thi...
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Loudon, TN
Lifespan of non-native weeping cherry tree
What is the lifespan of a weeping cherry tree? Thanks.
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Adairsville, GA
Shrubs for area around underground storm shelter
We want to plant shrubs around our underground storm shelter to divide it from our parking area. Obviously, this is to avoid having someone drive on top of the shelter. What native shrub to North GA ...
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Adairsville, GA
Removing invasives plants in Adairsville GA
We just moved into a new house and kudzu, greenbriar and poison ivy are trying to take over. I pulled what I could out of the trees, cut everything off at the base of the vine. I even tried digging ...
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Canton, GA
Hardiness of Mexican bush sage in USDA Zone 7
I have a Mexican Sage (salvia). I need to know the care of it especially because it is a gift and the plant is about 5 ft. With the weather and the red clay I don't know if I could plant it or just ...
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Red Bank, TN
What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
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