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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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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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Questions From Near You

Payson, AZ
Are Agave Seed Pods Poisonous
Are the seed pods, found in clusters, hanging from century plants(agave) poisonous to kids or dogs? They are large, light green, and shaped like fat bananas.
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Tonto Basin, AZ
Eliminating agave roots in Tonto Basin AZ
Greetings Mr. Smarty Plants, from Tonto Basin, AZ! We have numerous mature (huge!) Agave Americana plants here, and have, until recently, enjoyed them. However, we are now ready for a drastic landscap...
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Rio Verde, AZ
Are Chilean Mesquite pods poisonous to dogs?
Are chilean Mesquite tree pods poisonous to dogs?
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Cave Creek, AZ
Do yuccas die after blooming?
We have a blue yucca which was planted 2 years ago and is just now blooming with a tower of white flowers. Will the entire plant die after blooming as the century plants do? If so, is there a way to s...
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Sedona, AZ
Preserving the agave bloom for decoration from Sedona AZ
I have an agave century plant which is starting to bloom. Is there some way I can preserve the flower as a decoration piece?
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Sedona, AZ
Privacy screen for Sedona AZ
I live In Sedona Az. A builder just built a house next to my house and the new house is ugly to look at. What plant or tree would grow fast and reach 18 foot in height fast. It can be about 5 to 6 foo...
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Sedona, AZ
Lightning protection of smooth bark cypress
I have been told that the smooth bark cypress stores a large amount of water at its base and if lightning strikes, it will explode and extinguish the flames. Could you tell me if this is a myth? I'...
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Sedona, AZ
Low water hedge for Sedona, AZ
I'm looking for a shrub to plant along a 90' property line with my neighbor in Sedona, Arizona (high desert). Ideally, the shrub would grow to about 8' and would not require too much water. What wo...
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Sedona, AZ
Plants indigenous to Sedona, AZ
I live in Sedona AZ and I want to plant indigenous plants in my garden. Is there a list of AZ native plants shrubs and trees that are indigenous to Sedona? If there is no list that is specific f...
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Sedona, AZ
Mediterranean Pines indigenous to Verde Valley AZ
Are the tall, thin Mediterranean/Pencil Pines growing in the Verde Valley in Arizona indigenous to the area? They are so plentiful, but are not identified as an indigenous evergreen. If not, how did...
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Sedona, AZ
Preserving century plant bloom stalk from Sedona AZ
I have the flower stalk from a century plant which I am using as a Christmas tree. Can you advise me as to what I should do to preserve it for future use? Should it be kept indoors or outdoors. Pro...
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Sedona, AZ
Will Crossvine damage stucco walls?
The Crossvine I planted about a month ago is doing well. It is growing up a stucco wall and its little tendrils are sticking to (or into?) the stucco. Is this going to grow into the stucco and damage ...
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Sedona, AZ
Identification of fragrant, white-flowered bush in Arizona
I'd like to identify a flowering bush which has white sweet-smelling flowers. It is growing in the Coconino National Forest in the area near the Airport vortex/Airport mesa in Sedona, Arizona. ...
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SEDONA, AZ
Origins of the Name For Blackfoot Daisies
Can you tell me why blackfoot daisies are named “blackfoot”?
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Sedona, AZ
Cupressus arizonica with central leader cut in Sedona, AZ
Will a healthy Cupressus arizonica continue to grow in its native habitat, in Arizona, once the central leader has been cut?
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New River, AZ
Shrubs for 2,000 feet Elevation in AZ
What shrubs can I plant in New River, AZ, 2,000 feet above sea level?
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New River, AZ
Need suggestions for privacy hedge in New River, AZ.
Hi! I live on a acre that is fenced and cross-fenced with 6' chain link. I am desperate to find a drought tolerant, very low water, non-toxic, fast growing privacy hedge or vine that I can plant arou...
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New River, AZ
What is sage-like plant in New River AZ?
I have a sage like looking plant growing wild in my yard. I live in the Sonora Desert. Its leaves are purple and once a year in spring it will bloom small blooms that are lavender. It grows 2 to 3 an...
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scottsdale , AZ
Are Mesquite (Prosopis) pods safe for dogs to eat?
are pods from mesquite trees posionus to dogs if they chew or eat them?
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Apache Junction, AZ
Recovery from transplant shock for bougainvillea
I live outside of Phoenix. I just bought a bougainvillea in a large pot. It was doing nicely until I brought it home. I placed it in a sunny spot in my front yard inside of a large volcanic rock that ...
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Apache Jct, AZ
Low-maintenance native plants for Arizona
Will you please suggest some Native plants that can be left without care for the summer and survive - other than cactus?
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