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
Sioux Falls, SD
Privacy hedge for South Dakota
Hi, I'm looking for something to use as a hedge. 8 foot or so tall offering semi privacy all year. I like dogwoods but loss of leaves in the winter makes me skeptical. Boxwood would be interesting...
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Yankton, SD
Tree for South Dakota
Sir, I am looking for suggestions on a backyard tree, nice shade tree 60-80' height to complement a split foyer house and a flowering crab that is currently there. Low maintenance, with no seeds or c...
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Merrill, IA
Plants for steep embankment on the Missouri River in Nebraska
Hi, My embankment along the Northeast Nebraska shoreline
of the Missouri River is eroding the land away. Do you have
any suggestions for seed I could throw over the side of
the bank that would grow...
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Wahpeton, IA
Plants for Erosion Control on Lake Bank in Wahpetan,IA
We have a steep 15 to 20 foot high bank on the glacial formed lake, West Okoboji. We are experiencing erosion and would like a solution to prevent further erosion. We have wild roses, sumac, wild qui...
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Washta, IA
Growth on top of Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower)
I grow purple coneflowers in my garden. ONE plant has something growing on the top of each cone. I would like to know what it is but I don't see how I can add a photo to this post.
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Ida Grove, IA
Wintering over a Cuphea ignea in Iowa Zones 4-5
I have a Cigar Plant, or a cuphea. I live in Iowa and need to know how to take care of this plant. Does this plant die and that's it, or does this plant come back year after year?
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Norfolk, NE
Plants that grow in Canada, US and Mexico from Norfolk NE
Are there any plants that grows in Canada, US and Mexico?
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Stratford, SD
Can Calycanthus floridus survive in South Dakota?
Calycanthus in South Dakota? I've recently purchased some seeds for a calycanthus plant (floridus I think). I'm going to start them indoors but am wondering if this can survive a South Dakota winter...
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Morris, MN
Herbarium locations for Bifora americana
Dr Hampton:
I am trying to find specific locations of populations of Bifora americana (prairie bishop). Apparently, many collections of this species have been made in the Dallas-Ft Worth area as we...
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Hutchinson, MN
Mystery plant in private garden in Hutchinson MN
I recently toured an amazing private garden. While touring the owner called her potted plant with purple clustered flowers something that sounds like 'pinsta'. Do you have any idea what it might ha...
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Spalding, NE
Bulbs named exotica
When I purchased some seed from a catalog I received some free bulbs called exotica which I planted.They have long green stems. I don't know what they are or what to do with them. Can I plant them ou...
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Spalding, NE
Care for an orchid
I have another question. How do I care for an orchard. I have had it close to a year and it hasn't grown. How much water do they take.
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Bennington, NE
Difference in natural soil and potting soil.
If you buy store bought soil is it different than soil from the ground?
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Bennington, NE
The most important part of growing plants.
In your opinion what is the most important part of growing plants.
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bennington, NE
Thickness of liquid when growing plants
Q: Does the thickness of liquid matter when growing plants?
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Bennington, NE
How do plants living in various climates differ?
Do plants that live in different climates have different tecture or are they just totally different?
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Bennington, NE
Why is water used for plants.
Why is water the most popular thing for watering plants if is so plain?
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Elysian, MN
Plants for steep lakeside bank in Minnesota
I am new to MN and would like to plant some pretty plants on my steep lakeside bank. What type plants and flowers should I plant to prevent erosion, but not block the lake view?
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Dassel, MN
Containerized honeysuckle for Dassel MN
We are renting our house but I would like to enjoy my own honeysuckle. Can they be planted in a big pot so that I can take it with me when we move.
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Omaha, NE
Native holly (ilex) for Austin area
Hi--my brother and his family live in Austin, TX--their german shepard "Holly" just died (she was 13)--I was throwing around the idea of sending them a holly plant of some sort to have in honor of H...
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Omaha, NE
Eliminating invasive, non-native chameleon plant from Omaha NE
I have been attempting to eradicate the chameleon plant in my gardens for 3 years. I have sprayed Round Up and covered with newspaper then mulch and it is coming back again this year! I am wondering...
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