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
Floral Park, NY
Care for non-native Spathiphyllum from Floral Park, NY
I have a medium to large size friendship lily indoor plant that was once magnificent when first purchased it. I lost plenty of lush green leaves to brown spots. The health has improved( I moved locat...
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Floral Park, NY
Evergreen screening shrubs for New York
I need evergreen screening shrubs that aren't too deep. The shrubs are to be planted along an existing wrought iron fence, which is a few feet behind a children's swing set.
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Valley Stream, NY
Care for 'Winchester' honeysuckle?
I have a Winchester honeysuckle that is now in full bloom. Do I "deadhead" the blooms after they die off?
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Queens, NY
New York City Native Perennials for a Long Growing Season
Which native New York City perennials would be best for the longest growing season?
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Queens, NY
Propagation information from Queens NY
Hello. I would appreciate information on when to plant the following plants. I found on the USDA website that all these plants could withstand the cold. ALthough they can withstand harsh weather, ...
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Rosedale, NY
Herbal properties of Dicentra formosa
I would like to get some information on the Dicentra formosa plant such as the benefits of the plant. Is it poisonous? Can it be infused in an oil?
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rockville centre, NY
Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY.
Took a cutting of a prickly pear cactus from my daughters garden in Harker Heights, Tx. Her plants are 5'ht.& wt. Set it into a 10" pot with garden mix soil. Early July 2012, brought it home to Long...
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Rockville Centre, NY
Small native evergreen tree for Long Island, NY
Hi, I am looking for an evergreen tree to plant on Long Island NY. I plan on planting it in my front yard. At maturity to about 10-15ft about 5 ft wide. Not sure about soil, the area gets good AM sun ...
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Rockville Centre, NY
Prickly pear doing poorly on Long Island NY
First, thanks for your reply on 11-3-12, re.Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. The plants were set before a southern window in the attic, temp. ra...
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Great Neck , NY
Wintering over of non-native Myriophyllum brasiliensis
I have a Myriophyllum brasiliensis in my outdoor fountain which I drain in the cold weather. How can I keep the plant alive over the winter? Thank you.
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Great Neck , NY
Overwintering a Juncus effusus in Great Neck, NY
Can I over winter a juncus effusus spiralis indoors or must it be kept outdoors? Whether indoors or outdoors, what is the proper way to keep it alive during the winter months?
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Woodmere, NY
Dog-proof shrubs in Woodmere NY
My chocolate lab thinks that shrubs are the same as "fetch" sticks..she's ripped out my azalea, rhododendron, andromeda and a few others I'm not sure of the names. She's a great pup (almost 1 yr...
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Baldwin, NY
Something killing evergreens on Long Island from Baldwin NY
What seems to be killing so many of the evergreens on Long Island - see more and more dying each day - doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason - can it be helped? Many thanks.
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Oceanside, NY
Learning to identify native plants in backyard
Please let me know how a layman like myself can identify native plants in my backyard. I don't know the plant names and don't know if they are dicots or any other technical terms (that some websites...
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Roosevelt, NY
Plant identfication for Roosevelt Park, NY
Looking for the name and chemical breakdown of a tree. Its leaves are green with heart like puffs blooming out. This tree was seen at Roosevelt Park, Long Island NY 11575
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East Meadow, NY
Dicentra Late in Emerging in the Spring
I have had a bleeding heart plant that has come up for over 50 years. This year it did not come up. Is there anything I can do? Is there a chance that it will come up next year or should I assume that...
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North Merrick, NY
Competition between peony and bulbs
I am planting 3 herbaceous peony bare roots 3 feet apart from each other. I am told it will take 3 years before I get blooms. In the meantime, can i safely plant springtime flowering bulbs in th...
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Nassau County, NY
Trees for privacy in NY
I am looking for trees native to New York that I can plant in front of my backyard fence that is six feet tall that will not hide my fence or overshadow my east facing garden beds and plants underneat...
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Atlantic Beach, NY
Plants for acid soils and coffee grounds for the soil
Please tell me what plants & flowers need acid soil and are coffee grains good to make soil acid?
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long beach, NY
Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Long Beach, NY.
I have recently added 1500sq.ft. to my backyard. My backyard faces a busy road. I would like to place native trees and bushes along the fence for added privacy, shade and to protect my house from the...
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Long Beach, NY
Native plants with little sun and northern exposure for New York
I live in a co-op and want to fix up the backyard. The backyard area has a west area to plant with a northern exposure and little sun and I am looking to plant something to cover the area. I would lik...
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