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
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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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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Los Alamos, NM
Native American barberry with edible fruit in New Mexico
HI I am looking for a native american burberry plant with edible fruit. I love Persian cuisine, and they use the dried fruit of the burberry plant in a rice dish that I would like to recreate. I liv...
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Santa Fe, NM
Smarty Plants on Fan Scarlet-Cardinal
I have a lobelia x speciosa (Fan Scarlet-Cardinal) plant and was wondering if I should dead head it after blossoming so that the plant continues to flower. Can you help?
Thanks!
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Santa Fe, NM
Source for photo of Helianthus nuttallii
I need a photo of Helianthus nuttallii. Can you help me?
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Santa Fe, NM
How to propagate milkweed from root cuttings
I am interested in propagating Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed). Your info page for this species says it can be propagated via root cuttings. Does this mean I can lop off a chunk of the root/tuber ...
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Santa FE, NM
Deadheading or trimming back of Asclepias spp
I have some butterfly weeds (flowers) and I have heard conflicting stories as to how to cut them back. Should they be deadheaded to elongate bloom time or does that prevent any seeds from replanting?...
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Santa Fe, NM
Smarty Plants on Isocoma pluriflora
I would like to know when isocoma pluriflora (rayless goldenrod) blooms in the Santa Fe, N.M. area. I'd also like to know its height. Other info will also be appreciated.
...
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Santa Fe, NM
Information on cherry trees from Santa Fe
1.does the purple leaf sand cherry have edible fruits? size, flavor, cross pollinator necessary, fruiting time? cultivars? zone, soil, light, water? 2. fall foliage color of 'Meteor" cherry tree?
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Santa Fe, NM
Sweet cherry tree for New Mexico
What is the best kind of sweet cherry tree to plant in Santa Fe, NM? I have apple, apricot, peach and pear. Would like cherry unless it is a bad idea.
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santa fe, NM
Santa Fe orchard groundcovers
Howdy
We were wondering what kind of ground cover you would suggest to use in a sunny area that has a few new apple trees [7' high]. The area is about 80' x 100 '. The soil is clay & was used to ...
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Santa Fe, NM
Possibility of over-watering of Asclepias tuberosa
Another question about butterfly weeds, the leaves on one of my plants are turning a yellow-red color and the blossoms seem to be dying (drying up) before they can bloom. It is right in the same area...
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Santa fe, NM
Treating splits in a Cottonwood tree trunk
How to treat slipts in trunk of 4 year old Cottonwood tree.
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Santa Fe, NM
Dispersing seeds for wildflowers in New Mexico
Here, in Santa Fe, NM, we have lots of beautiful wildflowers. What is the best way to propagate them? Can I just disperse the seed on my acreage after blooming? There is purple aster and sunflowers...
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Santa Fe, NM
Plant identification request
I took a trip to Arizona in 9/06. While out walking through public land I encountered a beautiful plant with very distinctive leaves, color of woody stems and flowers. I have scoured the USDA plant ...
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Pecos, NM
Propagating Indian Paintbrush
I live in Pecos, NM and have a lot of Indian Paintbrush plants growing wild on my road. I wonder if you can tell me how I can propagate this plant.
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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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Jemez Springs, NM
Planters for wildflower exhibit in Jemez Springs NM
I am planning to have a wildflower/pollinator exhibit at a visitor center located on a high elevation grassland (no trees). I would like advice on the size of the planter boxes.The area is located at...
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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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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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