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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

petersfield, MB
Growing Indian Wild Rice
Could you tell me who has the Canadian rights to wild indian rice grass. It is a drought tolerant grass used in flour production for gluten free products. thanks
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Winnipeg, MB
Plant identification request for a vine
I would like to identify a wild vine that I have just discovered in our bush. It has leaves similar in shape to a maple leaf,approx.4"wide, has white flower spikes, and some kind of a fruit or pod t...
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Lake Francis, MB
Plant with poisonous thorns
Is there a bush or tree out there that has thorns on it that can make you swell and cause you to feel like you can hardly move you're whole hand.
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Blumenort, MB
Identification of Monotropa uniflora
I found a peculiar flower in Nopoming Provincial Forest, Manitoba last weekend (August 4th). I found it growing in moss on top of rock (the Canadian shield). It was in shade. About 3 or 4 were clum...
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Hadashville, Manitoba
Propagation of cedar cuttings in Manitoba
How to propagate cedar cuttings to form a hedge?
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Fargo, ND
Trumpet flower side effects
What happens if you eat a trumpet flower, what are the side effects and dangers?
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Kenosee Lake, SK
Winterizing non-native sedum in Saskatchewan CA
What should be done to winterize a autumn joy (sedum)?
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Valley CIty, ND
North Dakota Riverbank Stabilization
Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND? Must be tolerant to cold, varying level of salts and sulfates and water level (from drought to flooding)
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Greeley, CO
Groundcovers for area under blue spruce in Colorado
I have a 40 ft blue spruce limbed up 6 ft in my yard on the west in Greeley, CO (50 mi N Denver, zone 4 or 5). It gets some sun underneath in the later afternoon and evening. Can you suggest 4 to 5 ...
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kipling, SK
Apples, pears and geraniums in Kipling, Saskatchewan
My geranium's leaves became yellow - Why? Where can I buy a good nice apple tree? Will apples and pears grow in south Saskatchewan?
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Chisholm,, MN
Pruning of Hamelia patens, Firebush
I have a Hamelia Patens (Fire Bush) it says it will grow to 12 feet high and 5-6 feet across. Can I keep pruning it to about 5 feet without damaging the shrub?
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Aurora, MN
Toxic effect of mulberry fruits and sap
What would be the toxic effect of the unripe fruit of the mulberry tree or the white sap?
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Duluth, MN
Starting a sweet potato in water in Duluth MN
I am trying to start a sweet potato plant in water. I noticed 3 days after it's in water, there is white finger like(hairy) areas at the tip of the bottom of the potato and also on the sides. I have...
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Duluth, MN
Can berries of non-native Fuchsia plant be eaten from Duluth MN
Are the berries of the Fuschia plant edible?
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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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Superior, WI
Using cattail fluff to stuff pillows
Me and my children filled a pillow case with cattail feathers today and brought it home. My mother says that it is going to get or attract bugs. Are there any dangers in this little project? Than...
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Pt. Richmond, CA
Drought-resistant plants for Paradise, California
We are moving to a new home in Paradise, CA. What drought resistant plants do well in Paradise ? Thank you !!
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Grand Marais, MN
Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
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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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Mclaughlin, SD
Information on medicinal plant uses by Dakota Indians
I would like to know what the plants were that were used for medicinal purposes by the plains Indians in the Dakotas. Is there a place/site that I can go to to research the data?
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Iron River, WI
Wildflowers blooming in northern Wisconsin in July from Iron River WI
What wildflowers are in bloom late July in northern Wisconsin, in the Bayfield and Douglas counties?
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