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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.

Questions From Near You

Edmonton, AB
Non-native upside down tomatoes in Edmonton AB
Due to early frost, I have brought my upside down tomato plant into the house & have hung it in the basement. What type of grow lamp can I use? I just have the overhead light & standard lamps at my di...
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Edmonton, AB
Information on propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings in Alberta, Canada
What do you know about propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings? I'm involved in a small stream side revegetation project in central Alberta, Canada.
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Edmonton, AB
Juncus effusus Twister question
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I bought a Juncus Effusus,"Twister", and was wondering if it can be brought in the house during winter as a house plant or is it just an annual that will die in ...
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Edmonton, AB
Possibility of camas being raised in Edmonton, Alberta
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, and wish to find out how "Camassia (leichtlinii white) will fare in this zone.
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Stony Plain, AB
Starting yucca from pups in Alberta, Canada
What is the procedure to start a new plant from the Yucca "pups?" Heavy wet snow damaged much of my yucca plant the winter before last and last summer it produced 3 of these new little ones but the ...
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Westlock, AB
Survival of non-native rosemary on sea breeze from Alberta Canada
I read that Rosemary, in some locations, can live on nothing other than the humidity carried by the sea breeze. Is this true?
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COLD LAKE, AB
Plant Identification from Cold Lake AB
How can I send a picture for you to help me identify a plant that grows in my garden that no one can seem to identify? I have taken a picture of it but can't seem to be able to attach it to this que...
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Calgary, AB
Care of non-native lilac
How and when do we prune lilacs bushes ?
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Calgary, AB
Nightblooming flower for Alberta, Canada
Are there any night flowers that bloom in august or early september with more than one flower bud for each plant that is native to Canada?
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Calgary, AB
Can I have success planting Adams Needle in Calgary, Alberta? Maybe.
I live in Calgary, Alberta and am wondering if I could have success planting Adams Needle in this climate (lots of chinook winds in the winter with large fluctuations in temperatures).
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Calgary, AB
Transplanted crabapple tree problems in Alberta
We transplanted a crabapple tree a couple of weeks ago. There was an abundance of clay in the soil where it was re-planted and even with all the watering, it isn't doing well. Any suggestions on how ...
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Calgary, AB
Mystery vine in Alberta, Canada
Recently, I came across a vine (looked like virginia creeper/clematis type base - heavy and woody like) in Calgary, Alta - it was climbing on a metal fence that was approx 4'tall - unfortunately the...
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Calgary, AB
Small trees for Alberta
I would like to know if there is a short, 15 feet and under, deciduous tree that can be grown outside in Calgary, AB
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Paynton, SK
Hardiness of non-native Lycium barbarum for Saschatewan
Lycium barbarnum. What is its hardiness and where can it be grown?
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Coaldale , AB
Removal of honeysuckle bushes from Coaldale Alberta Canada
I have 2 honeysuckle bushes that I want to get rid of. I am wondering if Honeysuckle bushes have very deep roots (are they hard to dig out?) I am 70 years old and didn't know if I'd be able to dig ...
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Saskatoon, SK
Transplanting Virginia creeper
I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo...
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Carmichael, CA
Legal to kill non-native invasive fig ivy in Carmichael CA
Is it legal to spray round-up on invasive fig ivy from my neighbor's yard? Will we be responsible for killing his plant? He refuses to install a barrier between us or discuss a remedy.
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Carmichael, CA
Non-native creeping fig and non-native nutgrass in Carmichael CA
Will creeping fig choke out nut grass?
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Vernon, BC
Are blue spruce (Picea pungens) poisonous?
Are blue spruce trees poisonous at all? Thank you.
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Vernon, BC
Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris)
I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how...
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Vernon, BC
Can lantana be grown in British Columbia from Vernon BC
Can I grow lantana in Vernon B.C. Canada?
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