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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!

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

Questions From Near You

Dry Prong, LA
Plant identification
I have visited this page and 18 more! I am still trying to find a plant that I found on a creek that runs through our land. I have pics. Great ones! Can I send the pic? If you like it, use it. I ...
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Pineville, LA
Looking for a plant to use as a windbreak for a small orchard in Pineville LA.
We are looking for a good plant to use as a wind break for our small fruit orchard.
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pineville, LA
Can the buds and flowers from my Rhodendron tree be toxic to my puppy? Yes
I recently got a new 7 week old puppy that keeps trying to play with and eat buds and flowers off my Rhododendron tree. Could this be toxic to him?
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Natchitoches, LA
Expected color of non-native crapemyrtles in Natchitoches LA
just bought 8 new crepe myrtle trees that are suppose to be dynamite red in color. However, the few bulbs that are on them when you break them open they are white! Does this mean they are going to be ...
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Natchitoches, LA
Plant identification for Louisiana
Trying to identify a "fruit bearing" plant around Natchitoches, Louisiana. Grows about waist high to average man, slightly elongated green leaf, bearing small green "fruit" or "berry", with pape...
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Natchitoches, LA
Red Shrimp Plant Poisonous for Dogs?
Is the Red Shrimp Plant poison to dogs?
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Forest Hill, LA
Information for constructing a butterfly observation building
I am looking for information on the construction of an indoor butterfly observation building and am having no luck. Thought I would take a chance and ask you.
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Grayson, LA
Want to purchase mustang grape (Vitis mustangensis)
Do you know of a nursery where I can purchase mustang grapes? I have searched the web to no avail.
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Grayson, LA
Erosion control in Grayson, LA
We live in northern Louisiana. We have a small hill beside our carport that washes. What can we plant to help keep this from washing that will stay green all year long?
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Winnsboro, LA
Appropriate riverbed and quail habitat plantings for southwest OK
Mr Smarty Pants, I have an area in extreme SW Oklahoma along the Red River. What native plants could I plant that are both appropriate for the sandy/saline soils in the vegetative area of the river b...
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Mamou, LA
Trimming live oaks in Mamou LA
We have 3 large Live Oak trees in our yard. The problem we are having is when we trim a branch off so we can walk under the branch, the whole branch dies back. Is there a certain way to trim the limbs...
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West Monroe, LA
Fertilizer for non-native Althea in West Monroe LA
What type of fertilizer is best for Althea Bushes
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West Monroe, LA
Plant identification
I have a green bush that us come up in the old garden spot it has littl green balls all over it with seeds like in them, what could it be? Thanks
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Monroe, LA
Care for non-native Mexican ruellia in Monroe LA
Dwarf Mexican Petunia I have found information that late in the season, when growth becomes leggy, cut back plants by as much as a half to force a new spurt of growth. Watch for tobacco bud wo...
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Monroe, LA
Is purple coneflower native to Colorado?
I have seen the purple cone flower growing wild in Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. Is it a native to that state or has it been brought in?
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Monroe, LA
Damage to ruellia in Monroe LA
I have hundreds of Ruellia Brittoniana. Dwarf Katie White, Katie Blue and Katie Pink. I am finding holes in some of the leaves, Some just have notches chewed out of them. Some of the leaves have...
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Basile, LA
Colorful flowering plants in shade of live oak in Louisiana
What colorful flowering plants can be grown near the shady base of live oak trees in the Deep South?
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Opelousas, LA
Source for purchase of native Parkinsonia aculeata
I would like to buy a Jerusalem Thorn Tree plant. I will purchase seeds if plant is not available. Can you tell me where I can purchase either?
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Hemphill, TX
Identification of tiny blue flower blooming in February
There is a very small four petal flower that appears near the end of Winter. (This year they appeared in late Feb). These little flowers are a "Light Blueish" hue. They are around a quarter inch ac...
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Hemphill, , TX
When to plant bermudagrass in East Texas
When to plant Bermuda grass in East TX, Center, Nacodoches, Lufkin and Center area?
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Hemphill, TX
Groundcovers for steep slope in East Texas
I HAVE A LAKE LOT IN EAST TEXAS ON TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR IN HEMPHILL TEXAS. THE LAKE LOT IS BEAUTIFUL BUT VERY STEEP. IN SOME SPOTS IT IS ENTIRELY TOO STEEP TO MOW. IT WAS COMPLETELY GROWN UP WHEN WE ...
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