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
Attica, IN
Oakleaf hydrangea in Indiana
I was given a start of an oak leaf hydrangea by a generous friend from her garden. I have been searching for "what to expect" about this plant. I planted it last year and it grew..this year..but d...
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Montezuma, IN
Locating a Western Soapberry Tree for Montezuma IN
Hello, I hope you can help. We homeschool in Indiana (Dad is a native Texan, transplanted). We are looking for someone with a healthy, mature & fruiting Western Soapberry Tree..sapindus drumondii.
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Montezuma, IN
How do you determine male persimmon seedlings from the females?
I have got new persimmon seedlings about 3 inches tall this spring, and am wondering if there is any way to tell male from female at this young stage? I just don't want to plant 20 or 40 seedlings an...
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North Salem, IN
Problems with tuliptree in North Salem IN
I have a tulip tree and it looks like it is dying. The limbs are starting to turn bright blue. Do I have an insect problem or is it from a lightning strike?
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Lebanon, IN
Toxicity of non-native Royal Empress tree
We want to plant some fast-growing trees for shade for my horses. My friend wants to use Royal Empress trees. Can you tell me if these are toxic to horses (and also goats)? I have a lot of clay in t...
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Paxton, IL
Plant ID in Champaign IL
I am in search of the name of a flower. It is tall, believe on a single stem, if you ever have been in Champaign, Il it grows along the interstate near the overpasses, very pretty purple flowers. I ...
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Loda, IL
Yellowing leaves on Jack in the Pulpit in Loda IL
I live in central Illinois and have a Jack in the Pulpit in a pot, in a shady location, under an oak tree and the soil seems to be moist. The leaves are turning yellow at the edges. Help, please. Th...
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Greencastle,, IN
Moving plants for extreme drought from Greencastle IN
In exceptional drought here in Indiana, I am looking at weeds that may become my next perennials! How do I move what my dad called ragged robins from the edges of roads. They are blue and could be wil...
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Brownsburg, IN
Need help with a 50 ft Tulip Tree with storm damage in Brownsburg, IN.
I have a 50 ft Tulip tree that suffered storm damage. One for the main branches split at the top fork and fell. It has left about 6 ft of exposed wood but there are still a couple of main branches in...
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Logansport, IN
Petunias pollinated by clematis from Logansport IN
Can petunias be pollinated by clematis? I have 2 petunias that have split blooms and look like a small clematis flower. They are growing close to a jackamani clematis.
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Zionsville, IN
Raingardens in Indiana
I need to have annual native plants to add to a demonstration rain garden to fill in while we wait for the perennial plants to mature. The only plant I can think of is annual phlox. Do you have any ...
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Avon, IN
Transplanting a magnolia tree in Avon IN
We moved in our house a couple of years ago,We have a small Magnolia tree, well, looks like a bush right in front of our porch. We want to move it but do not know the best time to move. Can you tell m...
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Plainfield, IN
Twisted hibiscus tree in Plainfield, IN
I have just bought 4 twisted hibiscus trees and repotted them immediately then brought them into my screened in porch until I was certain the weather would be safe to keep them outside (I live in Cent...
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Poland, IN
Plants for a septic system in Poland IN
Hi, we have a septic system under a large front yard at a newly acquired lake cottage in southern Indiana. The yard is completely unlandscaped. I'm trying to find if there are are any safe trees I ...
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Carmel, IN
Need evergreen hedge and groundcover for shade in Carmel, Indiana
Our property is bounded by a fencerow that is wooded and mostly shaded by mulberry and hackberry trees during the growing months. We'd like to create a 5'+ tall evergreen barrier on the property li...
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Bunker Hill, IN
Can tulip tree sap be used to make syrup in Bunker Hill IN?
I was just wondering if tulip tree sap could be used to make syrup. I saw the sticky stuff on the leaves and decided to taste test it and it was very sweet, unfortunately I later found out that I was ...
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Mooresville, IN
Identity of and how to get rid of plant in planter in Indiana
We moved to Mooresville Ind. (Brooklyn area) 3 yrs ago. In one of the 12x12 planters out back, these one THINGS keep cutting back and spreading everywhere. They are tall, hollow stem, seems like ther...
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Cicero, IN
Getting Tradescantia (spiderwort) to stand up straight in Indiana
Is there a way to keep Tradescantia plants on a thicker base so as not to fall over? Mine are spreading like wild fire, but most fall over and look like weeds.
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Ashmore, IL
Which plants are resistant to dog urine in Ashmore, IL??
Which native plants are resistant to dogs urinating on them?
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Noblesville, IN
Small native shrub for Noblesville In
Is there a small shrub native to central Indiana that is suitable for front yard city landscaping?
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Noblesville, IN
Non-native crape myrtles in Noblesville IN
Can Crepe Myrtle trees be grown in Noblesville IN 46060? I believe we are zone five.
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