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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

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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Wednesday - July 01, 2015

From: Stamford, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification, Wildflowers
Title: Horsemint for Connecticut
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

Will horsemint grow in Connecticut?

ANSWER:

Your question nicely illustrates the most common problem with common names.  That is, more than one plant species can share the same common name. In the case of horsemint, several species in several genera are all commonly referred to as horsemint.  Some species of horsemint that are native to Connecticut and are thus, ones that we can recommend for you are: Blephilia ciliata, Monarda punctata and Pycnanthemum tenuifolium.

 

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