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
Cooperstown, NY
Problems with beheaded non-native Gerbera daisies in Cooperstown, NY
I planted my gerberas in my perennial bed - as usual. Something is beheading them and leaving the blooms along side the plant. Some of the bloom is eaten but most of it is right there.
I have t...
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Oneonta, NY
Fruit bearing trees and shrubs for wildlife in NY
What are the best fruit bearing trees and berry bushes to grow in Oneonta New York. We are working on a project for the Oneonta Job Corps that is a green initiative. When we buy the fruit bearing tr...
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Heron, NY
Plants to prevent erosion in clay soil in Heron, NY
What plants could be used to plant on clay soil, Eastern exposure in full sun to stop erosion on a bay side hill with a steep grade?
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Hamilton, NY
Transplanting Blueberries in NY State
I would like to ask you about transplanting blueberry bushes. When can I move them? 3 of them are at least 10 years old and haven't done well in their current location. I have built a fence to keep t...
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madison, NY
Plants to hold a slope in NY
We recently built a house (on a hillside) and now are having some drainage issues on a fairly steep slope (a small creek is forming in the swale the excavator made "deal" with the drainage). Yester...
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Hamden, NY
Erosion control in New York
I am in zone 5/4 New York and I recently purchased a house with two erosion problems- 1. a seasonal stream has cut a gorge about 20 'deep X 40' long.Mature hemlocks are toppling into this hole. it i...
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Margaretville, NY
Recommendations for a slope in Margaretville, NY
Mr. Smarty Plants, We really love all of your ideas on our 60 degree bank needing plants to keep the topsoil in place. The grasses you suggested are beautiful!!!! They will look incredible against the...
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Margaretville, NY
Deer-resistant plants for wildlife in Margaretville NY
We have a 60 degree bank behind a recently completed retaining wall that is mostly rocky with a light topsoil. We are going to put down grass just to keep the topsoil in place, but someone suggested ...
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Margaretville, , NY
Source for native plants in Margaretville NY
Mr. Smarty Plants:
Thank you so much for your recommendations for the Margaretville, NY!!! I am thrilled with the colors of everything you recommended, especially the beautiful grasses and the shru...
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Amsterdam, NY
Skunk cabbage from Amsterdam NY
Will skunk cabbage grow under a mobile home and cause odor?
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Oneida, NY
Wildflower preparation for winter
I live in Onieda New York and I would like to know what do I do with my wild flowers before winter so they look great next year?
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Voorheesville, NY
Zexmenia in upstate NY
Will zexmenia survive in upstate New York (Albany)?
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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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Manlius, NY
Problems with pin oak in Manlius, NY
I bought a pin oak when it was ~5 ft tall. It has lived in clay/rock for the last 6 years--healthy, but didn't grow much (no surprise). This spring we planted 3 small boxwoods a few feet from its t...
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Clifton Park , NY
What plants can absorb the excess water in my back yard?
I am looking for any plants and trees that can absorb the excess water in my back yard. There is a large area that is swampy and always wet. Could you please provide me some suggestions?
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