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
Old Forge, NY
Sources of cold hardy, native wildflowers in upstate New York
We are looking for the best wildflower varieties with some challenging requirements. First, we need cold hardy varieties. We are in USDA area 5 in upstate NY. Second, our lot is by a lake bordered b...
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Carthage, NY
Care of non-native Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum
I have a white lily that is in a pot and has already bloomed four flowers. will it bloom again? Can I replant this outside right now or what should I do with it?
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Philadelphia, NY
Willow woes in Philadelphia, NY
I have a 2 yr old willow; it is August and it looks like the tree has gone dormant, is this normal?
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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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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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Cleveland, NY
Proper time of year to plant evergreens in New York
Dear Smarty Plants,
Is it too late to plant evergreen Thuja, blue spruce and firs in Cleveland, New York?
Vicki
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Saranac Lake, NY
What does the name montana mean in a species name?
What does the name montana mean in a species name?
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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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Schroon Lake , NY
Mulching Spring Bulbs in Upstate NY
Just planted tulip bulbs for Spring. The Parks Department then put 4 inches of mulch on top. Will the tulips be able to get through and bloom come Spring? Is mulch a good winterizer for them? Indoor c...
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Port Ontario, NY
Erosion control after loss of large trees
Our steep 40' river bank (NY near eastern shore of Lake Ontario - zone 4) has recently lost two 50' oaks, leaving enormous holes in the bank itself where they tore out. What should we do immediately...
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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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Brewerton, NY
Should Solanum eleagnifolium, silverleaf nightshade, be removed from yard
I live in Upstate NY. I'm quite sure, after checking many sites/pictures, that I have a couple specimens of Silver Leaf Night Shade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) growing in the "wild" portion of my side...
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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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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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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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East Syracuse, NY
Plants for a steep slope in New York
We just installed a swimming pool in our back yard, which is at the top of a south facing slope. After the pool was installed the slope is now 3 ft higher and very steep (unmowable). I'd guess steepe...
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Saratoga Springs, NY
Plants to replace hydrangeas in a wet area in New York
Dear Smarty,
Two years ago I planted 4 Endless Summer Hydrangas in front of the front porch of my summer cottage on Saratoga Lake. The first year they struggled the second they are limp. Can you give...
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Syracuse, NY
Why will my blazing stars not bloom in Syracuse New York?
I have two purple blazing star plants on the west side of my house, about 4 feet apart. They have bloomed the past two summers. This year, one is ready to bloom, but the other has no stalks that wil...
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Syracuse, NY
Care of Passiflora incarnata or Passiflora coccinea
Hi- I have two passionflowers, one red, one purple. I live in upstate NY. They grow very well up onto trellises, however, they have stopped producing flowers. Both are planted in pots (fairly large)...
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Syracuse, NY
Can Carolina jessamine be grown in Syracuse NY?
Hi--Can Carolina Jessamine be grown in Syracuse, New York?
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Syracuse, NY
Need water absorbing plants in Syracuse, NY
I'm Looking for water absorbing plants and shrubs -not so much trees. My rain barrels and downspouts are still creating too much run off. I want to line a walkway and keep rainwater run-off from drai...
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