Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Questions From Near You
Fairfield, CT
Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT
I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan...
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Fairfield, CT
Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Evergreen Hedge Suggestions for CT
I think I am asking for a lot, but here we go… Is there a deer tolerant evergreen that can grow in the shade and create a hedge of 5 feet tall here in CT? I am not opposed to ivy covering a fence if t...
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Fairfield, CT
How to protect roses from deer browsing
I would like to plant knock out roses but I am concerned the deer will eat them? Advice?
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Fairfield, CT
Pruning of non-native New Dawn rose in Fairfield CT
Hi! Can you help me with blind shoots on a climbing rose, New Dawn? The sun is planted in the south side of the house and gets plenty of light. I have only lightly fertilized it twice a year last yea...
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Norwalk, CT
Castillea indivisa as Texas native Indian Paintbrush
Upon researching the Texas Indian-Paintbrush I have satisfactorially come up with the latin name Castilleja foliolosa, funny thing is on the plants.usda.gov site it shows that this plant grows ...
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Trumbull, CT
Holly attacked by deer in Connecticut
My holly bush was eaten by deer. Will the leaves come back or is it done?
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Wilton, CT
What plants are the most deer resistant in Connecticut?
Please advise me as to what plants are the most deer resistant and native to Wilton, CT. Most importantly, what evergreen shrubs and perennials will best survive?
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Darien, CT
Shrubs for playground barrier hedge in Darien CT
I am working on my Eagle Scout project which is a barrier hedge in front of a playground at our town's baseball field to protect the kids from getting hit by balls. The fence would be 4 feet tall an...
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Darien, CT
Butterfly and Hummingbird Attracting Plants for CT
Could you please give me a list of flowers that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds? I live in Darien, Connecticut and would love to make a butterfly garden.
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Milford, CT
Is it illegal to pick the state flower (Mountain laurel) in Connecticut?
Is it illegal to pick the state flower (mountain laurel) in CT?
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Milford, CT
Identity of red raspberry-like berries in Connecticut
I found some edible berries today in the woods that look like raspberries, are red like raspberries, but don't taste like them at all. They're very shiny red, remove easily from the bush. The flavor...
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Milford, CT
The most common wildflower in North America
Hi Mr. Smartyplants,
What the most common wildflower in North America? My friend thinks it's the oxeye daisy. Is this correct? I work for a puzzle publishing company, and am doing research for a them...
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Stamford, CT
Horsemint for Connecticut
Will horsemint grow in Connecticut?
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Stamford, CT
Shrub to hide gas line and water faucet from Stamford CT
I have a small garden ( 8'x10') in front of my house in southwestern Connecticut which faces north. It gets very limited sun and the eave hangs over it. I am looking for a shrub to plant up against ...
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Stamford, CT
Groundcover for Sunny Slope in CT
I need a plant to use as groundcover and for erosion control on a sunny slope in southwestern Connecticut. Any suggestions other than juniper?
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Ridgefield, CT
Need help identifying a deciduous weedy shrub in Ridgefield, CT.
My overgrown property is blanketed in a deciduous weedy shrub. Its not Autumn Olive. The stems have large thorns and the shrub is comprised of many thick woody stems that, when cut have a distinctive ...
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Ridgefield, CT
Connecticut Plants for a Steep Slope
I am looking for the best plants to retain a steep, dry, fully shaded slope in zone 5, Connecticut. It must be deer resistant. Plant height is not a factor.
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Ridgefield, CT
Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish...
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Orange, CT
Fast-growing evergreen tree to hide power lines
Live in Orange Connecticut and need a tree that grows fast and tall to cover the power lines which are quite tall. I'm thinking evergreen type trees so that the during the winter it provides the cov...
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Derby, CT
Looking for copper beach (Fagus sylvatica)
I would like to purchase a copper beech tree to plant in CT as a gift. Where can I find one to purchase?
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Pound Ridge, NY
Source of Tridens flavus, purple-top grass
Will you kindly refer me to a grower from whom I may purchase plugs of Tridens flavus, purple-top grass. for a meadow installation in zone 6.
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