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
Lancaster, PA
Failure to come up of blackeyed susans in Lancaster PA
My blackeyed susans have been blooming for ten years. All of a sudden this year they didn't come up at all..why?
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Lancaster, PA
Yellowing fern houseplants from Lancaster PA
I have fern houseplants about 9 to 12 months old and they are turning yellow. I don't overwater and they get good light. They are growing well but I don't understand the yellowing and falling off! ...
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Lancaster, PA
Growing a Texas Mountain Laurel in Pennsylvania
Can I grow a Texas Mt. Laurel in Lancaster, PA?
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Lancaster, PA
Native Streambank Plants for SE Pennsylvania
I help manage a nature preserve in southeastern Pennsylvania. Along the stream the banks have been beaten down by a large number of visitors for their educational activities such as stream studies. Th...
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Lancaster, PA
Patenting Flower Mixes
Can a new, more beautiful combination/mix of certain wild flowers or the new use of some particular wild flowers for a particular style of gardening, e.g. for deer resistance or for alternative lawn o...
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Millersville, PA
Plants to grow under a black walnut tree in PA
I want to plant some shrubs and flowers in an area with southern exposure that is dry, sunny, and within the drip line of, and partially under a large black walnut tree. I had been told that native pl...
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Mountville, PA
Can Juncus effusus winter outside in Mountville PA?
If we have the juncus effusus spiralis outside in a small pond and you say to let it outside in the winter does that mean we should let it in the pond? thanks for your time
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Ephrata, PA
Plant Identification from Ephrata PA
I've come across a low plant with bright green leaves and a distinct burgundy on the leaf. I've been told it's called Throw Me Over The Fence, but I believe it must be called something else. I be...
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New Holland, PA
Sources for Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americana) in Pennsylvania
I am interested in purchasing some Strawberry bush plants but I am having problems finding where I can purchase them. Any suggestions?
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Holtwood, PA
Trillium seed collection
I am interested in propagating trillium from seeds. When are the seeds ready to be harvested? I removed day lily pods prom the plants and then found out I had picked them too early
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Honey Brook, PA
Native plants to stabilize a steep bank in Pennsylvania
I would like to use native plantings to stabilize a steep bank of a septic leach field in eastern Pennsylvania. My purpose is to control erosion and to eliminate the need for mowing. What would you r...
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Delta, PA
Plant identification
I have a very distinctive vine accompanying morning glory in invading my beds - it is Prickly! (on the vine, underside of leaves, leaf stems). The leaf is not arrowhead, but a triangle; I've not seen...
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Delta, PA
Is crow's foot endangered from Delta PA
I, too, used crows foot in Christmas Wreaths. I have recently heard that is endangered and you could be fined picking it and using it. Wondering if this is a true statement. There is still lots in ...
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Fawn Grove, PA
Low plants to cover bank too steep to mow
I have a bank along the road that is too steep to mow. This bank faces east and only gets 2 - 4 hours per day of sunlight. I'd like to try ground cover to prevent erosion, however visibility is a p...
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York, PA
Reference for native critical populations from York, PA
I have recently read a naysayer of native gardening. He states that native garden plants usually do not have the critical population size to be self-perpetuating. He says that one could better help t...
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Mohnton, PA
Cutting back perennials in PA
Can you pinch back echinacea in the spring to produce a shorter plant? I have some that get too tall and fall over.
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Mohnton, PA
Source for wildflower seeds of milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae)
I am a lifelong amateur botanist/horticulturist and am trying to find a source for wild flower seeds of the milkweed family (Asclepiadacea). Thanks.
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sinking spring, PA
Non-blooming Hypericum in Eastern Pennsylvania
I purchased a St. Johnswort about 3 years ago. I has never bloomed. It is alive & well. I know this since it has started to spread shoots. Is there a trick to this one? Occasionally something I plant ...
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Seven Valleys, PA
Toxic trees and shrubs in Pennsylvania
I have a long property edge that I have been gradually transforming from a former cattle pasture into a hedgerow of native trees and shrubs. Cattle still graze on the other side. Are there any toxic...
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Reading, PA
Non-Blooming Bridal Wreath Spirea in PA
We have 12 - 15 Bridal Wreath Spirea across our backyard. We have lived here for about 10 years (the plants longer). They have always bloomed except last year (2014) several didn't bloom and this y...
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Reading, PA
Transferring a palm tree from Florida to Pennsylvania from Reading PA
Is it legal to transport a small palm tree (12" high) from FL to PA?
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