Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Questions From Near You
Trinidad, CO
Tree that successfully treats psoriasis
Dear Mr. Smarty plants,I have a rather unusual question. Do you know of a tree/plant that you can grow in a container, looks like a conifer/evergreen, is green, has wispy looking branches, but when t...
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Angel Fire, , NM
Wildflowers for Angel Fire, NM
What wildflowers would you recommend for Angel Fire, NM, at an elevation of 9150 ft. with rocky soil and a windy, northwest exposure? Thank you for your help!
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Angel Fire, NM
Succulents for 9150 feet in New Mexico
What succulents could grow in Angel Fire, New Mexico, at an altitude of 9150 ft.in a northwestern windy exposure in rocky-ish soil? Are there any that are perennials? Thank you.
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Angel Fire, NM
Deer and rabbit resistant alpine plants for New Mexico
What plants, including wildflowers, would you recommend for a somewhat windy, southeast exposure with rocky soil at 9150ft in Angel Fire, New Mexico, that are deer, rabbit, and chipmonk resistant? (I ...
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Valdez, NM
Planting shrubs on a rocky slope
I need to plant a rocky slope, facing south and west, to cut down erosion.
Other than creating terraces, are there tricks for securing individual shrubs or trees to a slope when planting?
What plant...
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Rocky Ford, CO
Maintenance of Blue grama in early stages
I am seeding my large back yard with blue grama - 30-45 minutes of almost daily hand weeding for two months keeps me from falling too far behind on the green foxtail, bindweed, elm tree seedlings, pig...
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Pueblo West, CO
Butterfly bushes and weed killer in Pueblo West CO
I have 3 previously healthy butterfly bushes that have one by one developed masses of tiny yellowish-green compact leaves. The entire bush went from its normal healthy appearance to something that res...
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Chimayo, NM
Verticillium wilt in catalpa and maple
On Monday - July 07, 2008, you answered a question about a catalpa and maple with the same problem--an entire branch died, and then more of the tree died. And both trees came from the same nursery. Th...
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Las Vegas, NM
Availability of seeds or plants for Texas Mulberry
Is there any source of seeds or plants for Texas Mulberry?
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Las Vegas, NM
Will Virginia creeper harm brick walls in Las Vegas NM
Will Virginia creeper harm brick walls in Las Vegas, New Mexico?
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Colorado Springs, CO
Name for paloverde look-alike near Colorado Springs
I don't know where this plant comes from. However, I am wondering what the name of plant of the following description would be. It is a shrub, about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It grows in zone 6 t...
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Colorado Springs, CO
Current forecast for wildflowers from Colorado Springs
What is your current forecast for wildflowers this spring?
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Colorado Springs, CO
Meadow garden for Colorado Springs CO
We recently purchased a restored home on a mesa just above the downtown area of Colorado Springs on the front range. The previous owners seeded the front lawn with blue gramma and told me that all I ...
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Colorado Springs, CO
Plants for under pine trees in Colorado Springs CO
What can I plant under pine trees in Colorado that will grow every year? Would like ground cover; tried bishop weed.
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Colorado Springs, CO
Forecast for 2008 Spring wildflower season
Has there been a forecast made for this spring's bluebonnet and wildflower season?
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Colorado Springs, CO
Non-native. Why are my potted Royal Empress trees dying?
I have purchased several Royal Empress trees over the past two years. Why won't they grow? Some sprouted leaves and then died while in the pots I planted them in. While others, that are 2 years old ...
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Colorado Springs, CO
Lawn Maintenance in Colorado
When do I begin to fertilize and water my grass in Colorado Springs? I am selling my house and want my lawn to look green?
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Colorado Springs, CO
Can a soapberry tree be grown in Colorado Springs?
I live in Colorado Springs and I was wondering if it is possible to grow a soapberry tree here?
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Colorado Springs, CO
Is cement leaching into flower beds in Colorado Springs?
I have posed this question to a number of garden centers in our area around Colorado Springs--only to rec. a repeated--"Gee, I don't know." When we moved to our new home there was a rock concrete ...
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Colorado Springs, CO
Native grasses for medians in Colorado Springs
Our city has stopped watering our historic landscaped medians due to severe budget shortfalls. The medians were historically tree boulevards but have had curb and gutter and blue grass added over th...
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Espanola, NM
Growing Sophora gypsophila from seed
Sophora gypsophila B.L. Turner & Powell
Do you have any information on growing this small tree from seed? I have a few seeds and would like to try. What conditions break seed dormancy? I have grown ...
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