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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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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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Monday - May 20, 2013

From: Seneca, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Will non-native hostas do well in South Carolina from Seneca SC
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am moving to SC from CT and want to bring some of the hostas I grow in CT. If I plant them in the shade in SC, will they do well down there?

ANSWER:

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is committed to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they evolved; in this case, Oconee County, SC. Hosta is a genus of about 23 to 45 species, native to northeast China.

From Ohio State University Extension, here is an article on Growing Hostas.

 

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