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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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Questions From Near You

Ellinger, TX
Flowers for sandy loam and sun in Fayette Co., Texas
Hi I am looking to know what the best flowers are to plant in sandy loam and no shade?
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LaGrange, TX
Need help fighting grass burs in La Grange, TX.
I have 4 acres of wildflowers planted in my front yard. Unfortunately, grassburs have crept in & I need to control them with a pre-emergent. Will this keep the wildflowers from blooming? Also, would l...
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La Grange, TX
Plants for a sunny, sandy site in Central Texas
I live between La Grange and Schulenburg, Texas. My soil is sandy. Full sun, no trees. I am a senior citizen with limited funds who is allergic to Rye and Bermuda grass. I tried planting a lawn of...
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Columbus, TX
plants for a rain garden's moist area in Central Texas
I am looking for local natives to plant in the wet portion of a rain garden/bioswale. Can you help, please?
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Columbus, TX
Looking for plants for phytoremediation in Columbus, TX
Hello! I am looking for native Texan phytodegrading/rhizodegrading plants (basically I want phytoremediating plants that could be left in place and not have to be removed/disposed of after they had ta...
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New Ulm, TX
Plants for slopes in South Texas
Can you provide a list of plants for use on slopes in S. Texas?
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Schulenburg, TX
Native wildflowers attracting bees in Schulenberg TX
What native wildflowers are honey bees attracted to?
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Round Top, TX
Source for purchase of Texas ash tree in Round Rock, TX
Where can I purchase a Texas Ash (Fraxinus texenis)?
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Alleyton, TX
Propagation of quincula lobata from Alleyton TX
Quincula lobata..how to propagate and when?
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Plum, TX
Black Sooty Mold on Bay Tree
I have a large bay tree and all the leaves are covered with a black mold-like substance on the top part of the leaf. Under each leaf are some black/brown spots. I have washed the leaves with soap and ...
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Carmine, TX
Care for heritage roses
Dear Mr. SmartyPlants, I took some cuttings from an antique rose my grandmother had.I had good luck , had some of them grow for me. Some of them have blooms and others are long and lanky stems but n...
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Ledbetter, TX
Spreading bluebonnets in pasture from Ledbetter TX
I've found a small patch of bluebonnets in my back pasture in Ledbetter, tx. What is the best method of encouraging their spread across the pasture? I've heard that one can pull up the plants and ...
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Ledbetter, TX
Preventing Oak Galls
How do you prevent live oak galls? Do you have a solution? Many of our live oaks are infested with them.
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catspring, TX
More on bluebonnets
Where can I find seeds for maroon bluebonnets? I understand that Texas A&M has developed cultivars for this plant in as many as four colors. I haven't been able to find a source for them.
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catspring, TX
More on bluebonnets
There are several different species of bluebonnets that grow in Texas. Which one is the official state flower?
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Catspring, TX
Conditions for growing Prunus mexicana
Will a native Wild Plum do well in the Cat Spring area west of Houston. The soil is quite sandy. I was told that the plum trees attract deer.
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Cat Spring, TX
Can non-native star jasmine attract snakes?
I have star jasmine climbing up my house. Can it attract snakes?
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Burton, TX
Killing a century plant from Burton TX
How do you kill the century plant, they are taking over?
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Burton, TX
Can you produce hay and bluebonnets on the same field?
Hi - We have a field that produces wild bluebonnets every spring. Is it possible to grow and bail hay in this field and not kill off our bluebonnets? Thank you.
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Burton, TX
Vine with wine-colored flowers in Washington County, TX
I'm trying to identify a deep purple wine colored flowering vine in Washington County, Texas. It looks very similar to Texas wisteria, but it is something else. I've seen them growing in vineyards...
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Flatonia, TX
Want to identify caterpillar that is stripping prickly ash in Flatonia, Tx.
What is the 5/16ths long 1/8th inch long pale opaque green caterpillar that strips prickly ash? It has tiny black dots down its spine and along each side. It has stripped two large trees? Will th...
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