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
Cushing, OK
Non-blooming wisteria in Oklahoma
I have a wisteria bush that doesn't bloom. It's two years old. What should I do?
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Stillwater, OK
Oak bark problems from Stillwater OK
In my clients large oak tree there is bark stripped from the limbs in small pieces. No piece is larger than 1 inch by 1 inch and occurs on limbs high in the canopy. It does not look like squirrel doin...
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Stillwater, OK
Food for deer and turkey in Oklahoma
We recently moved to NE Oklahoma from Texas and have 7 acres, a lot of wild turkeys and wild deer. About 2-3 acres are open, with sun and partial to lots of shade as the rest is heavily wooded.
What ...
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Sapulpa, OK
Native alternative for Japanese Red Maple in Oklahoma
Mr. Smarty Plants, I am looking for a native alternative to a Japanese Red Maple. I would like a small tree that I can put in my front garden that will not pose a security risk my being overgrown and ...
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Sand Springs, OK
Is there a simple way to
Is there a relatively simple way to "guess" how old wild grapevine is?
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Guthrie, OK
Groundcover for part shade/shade in Oklahoma.
I am looking for perennial ground covers for shade to part shade under red oaks in central Oklahoma. Soil condition is usually dry. Can you recommend some natives in addition to creeper for xeriscape?...
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Fairfax, OK
What are the green round growths on the edges of my oak leaves in Fairfax, OK
round growths on the edge of oak leaves. ranging in size from a pearl to a lime. ranging in color from pale green to lime green. hollow, small ones appear to contain one small gnat sized seed. the la...
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Tulsa, OK
Looking for a redbud sized tree to plant in Tulsa OK.
I am looking for a native tree about the size of a redbud to place in my prairie bed in Tulsa Oklahoma, wildlife friendly trees preferred, thanks!
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Tulsa, OK
Plants for freestanding water in Oklahoma
I have an overflowing gutter and the ground below becomes a muddy hole. I'd like to put a basin or pot in/or above the ground with a rain chain. Are there any plants--shrubs or otherwise that flouris...
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Tulsa, OK
Hollies not retaining leaves in Tulsa
I have Little Red Hollies that have lost their leaves, some areas being bald. They are also not full - you can see through them. These were planted in this condition Spring of '08 and have been wat...
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Tulsa, OK
Erosion control in lawn in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I have an erosion control question. I have a growing problem with erosion on one side of my house. The soil from the side of my house slopes down about 8" in about 3 feet to ...
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tulsa, OK
How to Control White Fungus on Prickly Pear Cactus?
Is there any kind of spray for our prickly pear that will help with the white fungus that has appeared on it?
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Tulsa, OK
Native plants for southwest exposure in Tulsa OK
I want to plant something in a bed on the South side of my house with some Western exposure. The space is in a bed that would share space with a Red Tip Photinia (next to the house)& liriope( on the ...
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Tulsa, OK
Changing bloom color from Tulsa OK
How do you change the bloom color?
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TULSA, OK
Hours of darkness for non-native poinsettia to bloom
I have a poinsettia from last Christmas still alive. I was told to get it so many hours of darkness. Do you know how many hours? When would be the best time to start displaying the plant again?
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Shawnee, OK
Identification of bush/vine with purple berries
I was clearing fence line and came across this plant it looks like a Bush but underneath grows like a vine it has long broad leaves that reminded me of Polk salad but it grows berry clusters the berri...
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Shawnee, OK
Is it possible to eat one nightshade berry and live?
Can I eat one nightshade berry and live? I am 18.
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Edmond, OK
List of plants that tolerate
Could I get a list of "grey water" tolerant shrubs/evergreens/etc?
*Full sun
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Edmond, OK
Groundcover for Shady Front Beds in OK
I need a groundcover for my front beds in Edmond, OK that are moist and in full shade. The groundcover would primarily be around and under a Japanese maple. Low maintenance is preferred.
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Edmond, OK
Transplanting redbud from field in Edmond, OK
I want to transplant a small redbud from a field to my yard. The trunk diam is about 1.5" and the tree is about 4' tall. What is the best way to do this? Should I plant it in a pot first?
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Edmond, OK
Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK
We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared.
Are there h...
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