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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!

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

Questions From Near You

Ashland, OR
Mystery Fruit in Ashland Oregon
Hi, I live in Oregon and while I was picking wild apples I came across what I thought was a lemon tree. I picked some of the smaller fruits that grew in pairs and had a small, yellow lemon appearance ...
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Eagle Point, OR
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
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Rogue River, OR
Error on message from Rogue River OR
Previous message regarding sweet peas and how to get them growing was submitted with wrong state - It went out Rouge River, Rhode Island -- Should have been Rouge River, Oregon
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Rogue River, OR
Shallow topsoil on rocky substrate in SW Oregon
I want to plants some shrubs and trees. Trouble is I can't plant very deep. I have mostly rock within 5 inches. Please help.
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Williams, OR
Deer-resistant plants for Williams, OR
I live in Williams, Oregon. I would like a listing of deer resistant, drought tolerant,evergreen, fast growing, native plants that can be used as a privacy screen on property perimeter.
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GrantsPass, OR
Plant cloning or genetic engineering
Can you take one genome (strain) and take a clean cut and put onto another plant another strain?
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Grants Pass, OR
Are wild sweet peas edible?
Are wild sweet peas edible? Thanks.
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Grants Pass, OR
Will Cercis (Redbud) grow in Oregon?
We live in Grants Pass, Oregon could Cercis grow here?
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Grants Pass, OR
Memorial Tree Safe for Horses in Oregon
Hi! I just lost my 33 year old beloved mare, Glory! She was my childhood horse and we have had her basically her whole life. We are looking for a special tree out in the pasture for her! She is bu...
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Weed, CA
Identification of vining plant with red berries in California
We found a vining plant next to and growing in our stream with gorgeous purple leaves in the fall after frost and a few sporadic clusters of smooth small red berries with little thorns on the vine. We...
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Brookings, OR
Flowering plant for hillside in Brookings OR
We live on the Chetco river and the bank in front of the house is on a hill. What would be a flowering plant that would maintain the integrity of the hill?
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Myrtle Point, OR
Cuttings for non-native red-tip Photinia
We have had wonderful fortune with red tip Photinia.We would like to expand our plantings.Can red tip Photinia be propagated by hard wood cuttings?
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Glendale, CA
Need shrubs for a privacy screen in Glendale CA
Dear. Mr. Smarty Plants I need to grow a tall hedge 15-20 feet minimum to block a condo complex which overlooks my back yard. I need a fast growing hedge which is non toxic to dogs and one which roo...
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Redding, CA
Damaged non-native weeping willow in California
I have a weeping willow that has no leaves and branches seems to have turned brittle. I don't see any bugs or burrows on the tree. The type of willow I have is very common in this area, although I'm...
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Redding, CA
Identification of small dome-shaped furry plant, smells like bubblegum
Hi, I always see this plant when I'm on the river trail in Redding CA. and I can't find it anywhere on the internet. The plant is very small, I think it is some type of weeds that grow. It's a ligh...
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Redding, CA
Why do some flowers open during the day and close at night?
My son is doing a science fair project on the California Poppies. We are trying to find the definitive answer on why the flowers open during the day and close at night.
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Redding, CA
Draought-tolerant screening shrub for Shasta County, California
It has been suggested to me that I plant phodocarpus 'maki' along my fence for needed privacy due to it's dimensions. I need something that does not grow too wide. I would not be pruning them as I ...
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Redding, CA
Evergreen replacement for bamboo in Redding CA
We have just removed bamboo from our backyard and need to replace it with a plant that will give us the same type of privacy. What plant would you suggest to plant along a fence line that will surviv...
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Redding, CA
Plant identification for Redding, CA
I have a volunteer plant that has dull green leaf with tiny white flowers that turn into a small black berry the size of a raisin. Can you identify it? I live in Redding, Ca. They are popping up in th...
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Redding, CA
Are the leaves of the Fruitless Palm Tree poisonous in Redding California?
Are Fruitless Palm Tree leaves poisonous? I was poked in the hand with a leaf of one of the branches. It was a dead leaf/Branch? Please Help!
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Redding, CA
Trees non-toxic for horses in California
I would like to plant next to my pasture. Please send a good variety of nontoxic (for horses) plants for shade. I live in Redding Cal.
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