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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

Grand Prairie, TX
Plants to replace Phragmites australis (Common reed) in Cedar Ridge Preserve
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in the DFW area and volunteer at a preserve (Cedar Ridge). We are constantly battling the common reed, Phragmites australis, around the pond. I am wondering what shou...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Neighborhood association wanting wildflowers mowed from Grand Prairie TX
For at least 15 years, I have been fostering growth of wildflowers in 60% of my 90x400' yard which include 150' utility trunkline easement in which I can plant no trees. This year, we had volunteer ...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Lack of Fruit on Forestiera
I have not been able to get berry production on my elbow bush. I have male and female plants. Is it possible to help with the pollination process? Thank you.
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Grand Prairie, TX
Source for Texas Star hibiscus from Grand Prairie TX
I am having a lot of difficulty in trying to find and purchase a Texas Hibiscus. Any clues?
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Grand Prairie, TX
Most common wildflower in Texas from Grand Prairie TX
What is the most common wildflower in the state of Texas? My kiddos stumped me on this one?
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Grand Prairie, TX
Pecan tree dropping limbs in Grand Prairie, TX.
Our 15 year old pecan tree is losing it's limbs. The tree and its leaves look healthy with no signs of bugs or mites, but all the limbs are drooping and breaking off. The tree did have a bumper crop ...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Plant similar to a cattail
I don't know where this plant grows normally, but I am looking for a plant that is similar to a cat tail, but the petals are not feathery, they are red and waxy and the petals are round almost. Plea...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Sheet mulching before planting Habiturf from Grand Prairie, TX
Have you tried sheet mulching as a bed prep and to kill bermuda grass before planting habituff?
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Grand Praire, TX
City tree ordinance information
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am writing to you in regards to city tree ordinances. I am a citizen of Grand Prairie, TX. and although the city is a Tree City, the city does not have a tree ordinance. T...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Identifying a plant/weed blooming in Feb. in Texas
Can you help me identify a flowering plant I have found growing in my yard? It is a tiny green plant most months of the year, with very tiny deep to pastel blue flowers on it in early spring ( it is i...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Drought-resistant plants for Grand Prairie, TX
Can you tell me where I may obtain a list of drought-resistant plants for landscaping?
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Grand Prairie, TX
Wildflowers to see at Wildflower Center in September
My wife and I will be coming to Austin for the Quilt Show September 29, 2006. Will the wild flowers and gardens still be active? We would very much like to visit if there would still be plenty to se...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Native grasses for shade in Dallas
What native grasses can be grown under large Live Oaks in the Dallas Area? The combination of shade and black gumbo soil seem to keep all plant life, except for poison ivy and ferns, out. I would lo...
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Grand Prairie, TX
Controlling Phragmites australis, common reed
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I volunteer at Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas. We are currently chopping down an invasive called Phragmites australis around the pond. The belief is that by continuously cho...
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Irving, TX
Shade loving plants with color for Irving, Texas
Looking for shade loving perennials or annuals with color - native and low water. Live in Irving, Texas.
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Irving, TX
Native plants for a bioswale in Irving, TX
Mr. Smarty Plants, what plants would you recommend for a bioswale in the north Texas (Dallas) area?
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irving, TX
Proper spacing for planting yuccas
We bought some yuccas and need to know how far apart to plant them
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Irving, TX
Planting bluebonnets near pond area
We want to scatter bluebonnet seeds on the banks of a pond area in a housing addition. Do we have to do anything special? How do they do it along highways?
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irving, TX
Viability of seeds that have not come up
I planted some wildflower seeds per instructions and they are not coming up. Should they? or will they come up in spring?
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Irving, TX
Failure to thrive of newly planted magnolia in Irving TX
I planted four Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora) in my back yard during first week of October 2009. One of them seem to be dying because its leaves have turned very brown and the leaves are c...
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Irving, TX
Planting time for non-natives in Irving TX
Have dwarf nandinas and two lorapetalums that I want to transplant. Can I do it now February 6th 2012?
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