Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

Beloit, WI
Best time of year to trim oak trees from Beloit WI
What is the best time of year to trim oak trees?
view the full question and answer

Rockford,, IL
Shrub for shade in Rockford IL
I live in Rockford, IL and would like to know what kind of bush to plant in pretty much, full shade. I would prefer to stay away from evergreens due to allergies. Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Rockford, IL
Trimming native Yucca filamentosa for winter in Illinois
I live in northern IL and I have approximately 5 yucca plants, Adams needle, my question is do I need to trim them down for winter for best growth the next year?
view the full question and answer

Rockford, IL, IL
Native plants for wildlife gardening in Illinois
I live in Rockford, Illinois. Where/How can I find information on native flowers, plants, trees, grasses and animals, and other things I can plant on our property (about an acre) to provide a home fo...
view the full question and answer

Woodstock, IL
Hedgerow to block sounds and scenes of traffic
What would make the best year round hedgerow to block the sight and sounds of traffic 60 feet from my house?
view the full question and answer

Oregon, IL
Plants for wetlands in Illinois
I have a home that is just above a wetlands in Northern Illinois. It is on a river and the wetlands go from bone dry to under 3 feet of water. The shoreline is beginning to erode where there are no tr...
view the full question and answer

Deerfield, WI
Tree with brown spots on leaves containing caterpillars
We have a new little tree we planted in our yard and I went over to admire it and on each leaf there is a brown spot in which little worms are living. They are alive and moving around in the pocket th...
view the full question and answer

Chana, IL
Nightflowering plants native to Northern Illinois
Looking for any/all info on night flowering plants that are native to Northern Illinois.
view the full question and answer

Hampshire, IL
Trimming prairie coneflower for lower height when blooming in Hampshire IL
Can the prairie coneflower, Ratibida Columnifera, be cut by half or some amount before setting flower buds to force the plant to bloom at a shorter height? If not, when is the best time to dig and tra...
view the full question and answer

Huntley, IL
Plants for a shady spot in Illinois
I live in a new development in Huntley, IL. I am looking for native trees, shrubs, plants and/or flowers to plant on the North side of my house. Fairly shaded. Hopefully something attractive and co...
view the full question and answer

McHenry, IL
Bluebonnets in pots in New Caney, TX
My mother in New Caney (Texas), would like to plant Bluebonnets in some lovely terra cotta containers on her porch (and will hopefully mail me some dried pressings of my beloved state flower). Other t...
view the full question and answer

Crystal Lake, IL
Plants for a sandy slope at a weekend cabin in central WI.
I have a cabin in central Wisconsin where the soil is equivalent to a sandy beach. There are some areas that are nearly impossible to mow because of how steep the incline is. Could you recommend som...
view the full question and answer

Crystal Lake, IL
Identification of plant in Illinois
I've found a plant that I cannot identify. The plant is is very short, 2 inches tall maybe, and has very fragile, thin leaves and stem. The leaves about 1" long, are pinnate, with about 20 leaflets ...
view the full question and answer

Crystal Lake, IL
Types of Eragrostis lovegrasses that will survive in Northern Wisconsin
I am interested in plains lovegrass, and know that it primarily grows in southern climates. Do you think it could thrive in northern Wisconsin if it is planted in a protected area? Could it survive ...
view the full question and answer

Rochelle, IL
Planting time for native yucca seeds
When and how do you plant yucca plant seeds and or/pods ? I took them off of the stalks when I cut the stalks today .
view the full question and answer

Burlington, WI
Identification of non-native Viburnum lantana
Could you tell me what this plant is? I have no idea! Vib Iantana Mohican - this is all the info. I have, other than it can grow in the mid-west.
view the full question and answer

Johnsburg, IL
Propagating a new tree from a magnolia in Johnsburg IL
My friend would like to reroot her magnolia tree in her front yard to bring it with her to Memphis. The tree is huge and easiest to reroot if possible. Does she trim branches to root, or dry the seeds...
view the full question and answer

Sullivan, WI
Catalpa and maple with dying branches in Wisconsin
We have a northern catalpa in our front yard. It's been there for about three years now and is probably 25' high. This year it appeared to be doing great. It flowered and then all of sudden last ...
view the full question and answer

DeKalb, IL
Identification of Wood from Frying Pan Ranch Near Amarillo, TX (possibly Cholla)
I'm doing research for a museum exhibition and have been told the "holey" piece of wood from The Frying Pan Ranch near Amarillo Texas is "chollya" but I can find no information. Can you help?
view the full question and answer

Madison, WI
Smarty Plants on wildflowers in Wisconsin
May I have information on wildflowers in Wisconsin and how to grow them?
view the full question and answer

Pingree Grove, IL
Transplanting a blue spruce from Pingee Grove IL
Transplant 18" Blue spruce from 5 gal. bucket to ground.
view the full question and answer