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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 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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

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Clint, TX
Eliminating non-native grasses growiing in non-native alfalfa in Clint, TX
I have six acres of alfalfa in Clint, Tx which was planted three years ago. After taking it to Jaime Iglesias PhD, CEA-Agriculture Texas Agrilife Extension El Paso County; he responded: Mr. Zuniga: ...
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El Paso, TX
Time of year to plant Texas Mountain Laurel in El Paso, TX
When is the best time of year to plant a Mountain Laurel tree in El Paso?
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El Paso, TX
Indoor plants for El Paso TX
I want to know what kind of plants will survive indoors in El Paso. It is so dry here, is there anything leafy or flowery that will thrive indoors in this climate?
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El Paso, TX
List of edible weeds from El Paso TX
Where can I find a list of edible weeds that grow in El Paso, TX.
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El Paso, TX
Identification of mystery plant in yard in El Paso, Texas
I have a plant bed in my yard with mostly shade, in the winter it looked like 10-15 sticks about 2-3 ft tall coming from the ground. Now early March there are green and maroon leaves only growing at t...
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El Paso, TX
Replacement for shade grass in El Paso TX
We currently have a Honey Mesquite tree with thinning bermuda grass underneath in our front yard. I suspect that the filtered shade is killing the bermuda. I was thinking of planting Buffalo Grass, or...
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EL Paso, TX
Plant identification, possibly Datura wrightii
I have a plant in my back yard, it had big white trumpet flowers, and now it has huge green pods. Doesn't smell very nice. Could you tell me what it is?
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El Paso, TX
Identification of vining shrub near Fort Worth
Please let me know what this plant might be. Saw it one county west of Ft. Worth, in a wooded area, and I've never seen this in this region before. The form is a vining shrub. Leaves are heart-sh...
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El Paso, TX
Problems with non-native artichoke from El Paso, TX
I have a five year old artichoke plant in the ground that gets sun and some shade, has plenty of fertilizer and compost. Gets enough water. It has been beautiful in years past and last year had 10 a...
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El Paso, TX
Native lawn grass for El Paso
I am new to the El Paso area and my front and back yards are currently mostly dirt with a tiny bit of dying (thank goodness) bermuda grass. I want to seed both yards with something that will grow well...
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El Paso, TX
Distance apart to plant Arizona ash trees in El Paso, TX
How far apart can I plant two Arizona ash trees?
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El Paso, TX
Killing oak sprouts from El Paso TX
I want to know how to kill oak root sprouts and seedlings. Very dense and out-of-control in huge area of front lawn. I had tree cut down and I still cannot get rid of them. They're only getting wors...
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El Paso, TX
Water for non-native Sub-Zero ivy in El Paso
Sub-Zero Ivy: Do they require lots of water - I live El Paso, TX - dry climate. Are they dangerous to dogs? Will they do well as ground cover around a brick patio? - Thanks!
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El Paso, TX
Silverleaf Nightshade, Happy in El Paso Texas
Trying to identify a small wildflower all over in our El Paso neighborhood. Lavender bloom, five pointed petals, Star pattern inside, five bright yellow pistols. Beautiful. Thanks!
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El Paso, TX
Landscaping a new yard in El Paso, TX
I am starting my back yard, we want to plant some sod grass and shade trees. We were doing some research and came across the Paulownia and the Royal Empress tree. I like them since they grow very fast...
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El Paso, TX
FAST GROWING PRIVACY PLANTS IN EL PASO, TEXAS
Hello, First, I am totally ignorant of plants,trees planting,etc. However, I just moved to El Paso, Tx and find every home is surrounded by these hideous rock walls, which aren't nearly tall enough t...
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El Paso, TX
Transplanting Desert willows in El Paso, TX
We have some volunteer Desert Willows growing on an empty lot nearby. Can we dig them up and transplant them in the yard? If so, how? They are about 3-4 feet tall
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El Paso, TX
Fast-growing, tall taproot tree for El Paso
I live in El Paso Texas and would like to know what would be a good shade tree to plant. I would like this tree to grow fast and tall. I would also like the roots to go straight down.
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El Paso, TX
Resources for native plants and landscaping in El Paso, TX
I live in El Paso, Texas, and want to know more about flowers and other native plants and landscaping in this specific geographical area. I would like information on particular plants that are suita...
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El Paso, TX
Shade tree for El Paso, Texas
hi there, I am looking to plant a shade tree in front of my house, about 10ft away from my house and about 6ft away from the sidewalk. I live in El Paso TX and I am afraid that the tree roots will int...
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El Paso, TX
Transplanting of non-native Vitex
I live in El Paso and have a fifteen year old vitex tree planted too close to a mesquite tree in my backyard. As a result of this, the vitex has failed to thrive. My question is this: can I replant ...
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