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
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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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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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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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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Voorheesville, NY
Zexmenia in upstate NY
Will zexmenia survive in upstate New York (Albany)?
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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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Altamont, NY
Official definition of native plants
Does the Wildflower center have an official definition of "native" plants?
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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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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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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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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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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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Saugerties, NY
Vines for Shade in Upstate New York
Hello! I am looking for a non-invasive vine that will grow in heavy shade near my house in upstate New York.
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Rotterdam, NY
Non-native Japanese maple seedling in Rotterdam NY
In the first couple days of August, I discovered a baby Japanese Maple growing against the wall of my storage shed, a short distance from a neighbor's full grown Japanese Maple. I transplanted this 5...
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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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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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Schenectady, NY
Wildflowers that will grow in sandy soil in New York
Dear Mr. S. Pants,
We live near Albany, NY in what was once a pine forest. The soil is very, very sandy. I've had some success with wildflowers but I have to use some topsoil and humus mixture to ...
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schenectady, NY
Recovery of non-native star jasmine from freezing in New York
Hello, I have a star jasmine plant that was left outside over the winter. Will it come back to life? Thank you.
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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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