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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.

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Coram, NY
Search for Silver Magnolia from Coram NY
Hi, 20+ years ago I purchased a small tree labeled Silver Magnolia from a catalog. It was a sapling about 8 inches high when I first received it but amazing! The bloom the first year was as big as my ...
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Coram, NY
Evergreen native shrubs in Long Island, NY
I would like to plant evergreen bushes (or trees)against my house facing north with no sun and growing no taller than 4 feet high. Any suggestions? I live in Coram, Long Island, New York
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Farmingville, NY
Cupressaceae dying in Suffolk Co.NY
I have noticed that all of my Cupressaceae (& others I see in my area) are dying. They turn yellow, then rust & brown til they are everbrowns. what is going on?
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Holbrook, NY
Growing fruits and vegetables from Holbrook NY
I have been looking for information on what plants, vegetables and fruits can be grown on Long Island NY to provide a sustainable food source for a community in the event of food becoming scarce. Wha...
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Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
Dividing blackeyed susans in Lake Ronkoko NY
How are you supposed to divide blackeyed susan's? And when is the best time to do this?
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Stony Brook, NY
Identification of vine in Stony Brook NY
Identify- vine type, Thorny stem, medium size leaves, color medium green with a jagged-reddish edge, leaf shape oblong, small white flowers. Growing in a patch of English green ivy. Looks invasive. ...
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Patchogue, NY
Trees native to Long Island, NY
My question is: What are the main trees that were native to Long Island before all other trees began to be brought into Long Island?
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Shirley, NY
Need a tree to grow on the south shore of Long Island, NY
I live on the south shore of Long Island NY. My property is directly on Great South Bay and consists of sandy soil and beach grasses. I am wondering what trees would do well in this type of environm...
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Bayport, NY
Evergreen vine for New York
I live on long island. I live on a corner piece of property and we have a 4 foot picket fence. We have some deciduous bushes planted along the fence, but would like a little more privacy because we ...
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Smithtown, NY
Evergreen Privacy Hedge for Long Island
I live on Long Island and want a privacy evergreen hedge partial sun.
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Smithtown, NY
What is difference between Rhododendrons and Azaleas
I am replanting my entire front yard as a native woodland garden (I am on Long Island, NY). I am having a hard time finding native rhododendrons and/or azaleas. I would prefer to remain true to the ...
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Smithtown, NY
Privacy shield for Long Island, NY
I live in Long Island New York (Smithtown), Zone 6, I think. My yard has mostly shade and I would like to plant something for privacy along my back fence because my neighbors house is close and their...
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Hauppauge, NY
Yellow jackets on non-native crape myrtles
Hey Mr. Smarty Plants I have only 1 question. I have several Crape Myrtles that have numerous amounts (alarming) of yellow jacket bees on them. who what where when why etc? Should I be concerned? tha...
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Hauppauge, NY
Replacement for maple tree lost in Hurricane Sandy from Hauppauge NY
Lost a Maple street tree in Hurricane Sandy, was forty-eight years old. Town will not replace the tree. Must do it on my own. What would you suggest? Nothing that grows too tall.
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Mastic Beach, NY
Possible fungal infection of oak trees in Mastic Beach, NY.
Sir, I have a yard full of HUGE Oaks. The one in question is about 80' tall 48" in diameter at the base. They are all well maintained fed and trimed and elevated every 3 or 4 years. About 4 years a...
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CentraI Islip, NY
Plant Identification
Having great difficulty identifying a perennial plant. Although it looks marvelous (coming in two shades), I haven't been able to correctly identify it. Local college feels it is Eupatorium Rugosum, ...
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Islip Terrace, NY
Cultivation of non=native Brugmansia sanquinea
I have had an Angel Trumpet since spring 2004, I keep it indoors in about 5 hours of sun a day. It is about 5 feet tall and was loaded with leaves. At Christmas time I had to move it from the front wi...
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East Northport, NY
Peach tree problems in Long Island, NY
This year my peachtree is bearing fruit for the first time. I live in Long Island NY. I notice a sap on the bark near the soil. Also some leaves are getting disease looking and some peaches are loo...
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East Northport, NY
Shrubs with fragrant flowers for screening in NY
I'm trying to find a bush or shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the fence that would get between 6 and 8 ft tall. Something neat, and if possible with fra...
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northport, NY
Evergreen trees for Long Island, NY
I live on across from the water on the north shore of Long Island. I would like the names of some hardy trees that are both native to Long Island and also NOT deciduous! I am finding it easy to find...
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Riverhead, NY
Identification of vine in New York
I have a flowering vine that grows against my home and I'm not sure what it is, but it's beautiful with a delicate scent. The flowers look like clusters of mini purple pea pods hanging downward befo...
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