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A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members 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!

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topicquestion
Plants to keep children out of yard
April 23, 2008
I WANT TO PLANT SOMETHING ALONG A FENCE LINE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF OUR YARD. NEEDS TO GROW FAST BUT NOT POISONOUS
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What is wrong with the bluebonnets?
April 04, 2008
This doesn't seem to be a very good year for bluebonnets. What's up with that?
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History of the Texas Bluebonnet
March 12, 2008
Hi, I'm working on an article for a newspaper and wondered if you could point me in the right direction to find out the history of the bluebonnet. When did it become the state flower? Is it really ill...
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Planting trees to use carbon dioxide
September 06, 2007
How many trees must we plant to use carbon dioxide produced by the average American in a year?
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Native plants that will grow under alleopathic black walnut
March 03, 2007
I have a large, beautiful black walnut tree in my yard and have trouble growing the annuals, begonia, impatients, etc., that I have always grown. They don't do well in the ground and I have resorted...
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Plants that might absorb moisture from air
February 27, 2007
I am searching for a plant that will reduce the relative humidity of a building. I work for a manufacturing company that is experiencing problems with water condensing on ceilings and equipment due t...
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Definition of what constitutes a native plant
January 23, 2007
Hello, I am doing research concerning "native plants" for the Northeast. I am "befuddled" as I am finding conflicting definitions for what constitutes a native plant. Do you have a good definiti...
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True date for Earth Day
March 09, 2006
My grandson asked me to verify the correct date for Earth Day 2006. Sites on the internet say (a) Earth Day USA is April 22, 2006. (b) International Earth Day is M...
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Mowing Bluebonnets
March 20, 2004
When is it safe to mow Bluebonnets?
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Help! The deer are eating my landscape.
March 14, 2004
Help! The deer are eating my landscape. Is there anything I can plant that they won’t eat?
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Mixture of native grasses as opposed to buffalo grass monoculture
November 26, 2003
My husband and I just built our home on Lake Travis. Our lot is very rocky and is on the side of a hill. We would like to plant something on the incline at the front of our home that doesn't need a l...
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