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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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Questions From Near You

Valatie, NY
Round green seed pods are likely leaf galls
While walking on a tree-lined dirt road after a mid-May storm, I noticed several seed pods but could not locate the plant they fell off of. The pods were round, light green and looked like large round...
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Chatham, NY
Ground cover for New York sloped area
I'm looking for native ground covers (vines?) for steep, heavy shale sloped areas as well as a ground cover in gently sloped area, preferably not higher than 6 inches. All that I've found is non-nat...
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Ghent, NY
From hay to meadow
I have just acquired a 90 acre farm in the Hudson River Valley and would like to turn some hay fields into natural meadows. One, for example is 20 acres, and has been let go to weed (goldenrod, thistl...
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Austerlitz, NY
Night-flowering plant that blooms every five years
What plant flowers every five years at night?
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Oakdale, NY
Snow damage to non-native Japanese maple in Oakdale NY
My beautiful 10 year old miniature Japanese Maple was damaged by heavy snow this year. Two of the biggest limbs cracked under the weight of the snow and are just barely hanging on. Can I repair them...
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Hudson, NY
Restoration of hilly area with natives of New York
I have an area, down the street from me, 2 side hills. During the summer, this all becomes over grown with small trees and just brush in general. I have asked our city for over 20 yrs to clear it as j...
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Sand Lake, NY
Should Rock Harlequin stay green all winter?
I have a rock harlequin that came up in a area that had been disturbed. It came up last summer/fall and the foliage survived our tough winter. I can not find anything about this plant staying green al...
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Albany, NY
Groundcover for part shade in Albany NY
Hello! I'm looking for: a native ground cover, mostly shade with only some morning sun, on a slope, edible is preferred but not necessity, mostly clay type soil for the Albany, NY area. Thanks for yo...
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Albany, NY
Groundcover beneath a maple
I am looking for something to spread out in the shade of a maple tree. I have tried lily of the valley, ferns, pachysandra, ivy, hosta, euonymus.. nothing spreads out.
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Albany, DE
Plants for streambank area in Oregon
I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much!
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Greenville, NY
Problems with non-native weeping willow in Greenville NY
We live on the border of Zones 5b and 6a and have a weeping willow that grew so much in only 3 years and did quite well. However, there are aerial roots growing on its bark as well as part of the bark...
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Hillsdale, NY
Plants for a sunny, dry slope in NY
Looking for plants, native to area, that are quick growing to a height of approximately 6" to 12" for a steep slope comprised of shale in a sunny location.
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Hillsdale, NY
Meadow planting on a shale slope with shallow soil in NY
Need to elaborate on my previous question which I am sure will produce a different response. We have a very large slope, near the top of a very long driveway, that is in a sunny location and comprise...
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Cairo, NY
Propagation of woody plants by cuttings in Cairo, NY
I have a tree in my yard and I am not sure what it is, it has these gorgeous pink cluster like flowers on it, my friend loves the tree and wants to know the steps to take a piece of my tree so she can...
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Wynantskill, NY
Attractive Native Vines to Cover a Chain Link Fence in Upstate New York
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants. I live in Upstate NY (Albany) and my yard is bordered by an old chain link fence. I would like to cover the fence with a natural looking plant (I assume Ivy). What do you ...
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Voorheesville, NY
Zexmenia in upstate NY
Will zexmenia survive in upstate New York (Albany)?
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Troy , NY
Plants for sunny dry soil location
Do any native plants exist in a highly sunny very dry soil location? (high overhang prevents rain but allows sun)
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Gt. Barrington, MA
Sources of native herbaceous plants for Massachusetts
Hi, I am looking for sources of native herbaceous plants, ideally in plug form, and wondered if you had a list you could send me. Thanks.
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Troy, NY
Eliminating skunk cabbage in Troy, NY
My yard is overgrown with skunk cabbage. My question is how do I get rid of it?
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Germantown, NY
Field of Dreams
I planted a field of sunflowers in April. I transplanted some of the crowded plants to different rows in mid-May - no problems. I have tried to transplant some of the plants this first week of June ...
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Guilderland, NY
Seeds for India from Guilderland NY
I have Green Cross “Non Profitable” trust in TamilNadu India. We are looking for free seeds from Government and other NGO foundations. Moto: Global Vowing awareness program and our volunteers help ...
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