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
White Stone, VA
Plants that will do well in a water retention basin in White Stone Virginia
I am looking for plants to grow under pine trees in a water retention basin. The pine trees line the basin. When it rains it will hold water for about two to three days before evaporating. I have p...
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White Stone, VA
Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control from White Stone VA
Native Wetland Plants for Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control -- I have a wooded lot (pine and hardwoods)leading to 4-5 ft. wide flat shoreline edged with riprap. What native wetland plants survive salt wa...
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Saluda, VA
How toxic are wild cherries for horses?
I purchased a beautiful piece of heaven in the rural suburbs. I have three horses and grow my own hay. Unfortunately, I have just learned the woods surrounding my field is lined with Black Walnut, Wil...
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Oak Grove, VA
Native plant for container on deck in Oak Grove VA
What VA native plant can I grow in a container on my deck that will block the view from the neighbor's deck? I am thinking columnar. This is in full sun and gets hot winds off of a bay. The plant ...
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North, VA
Shade tree for horses in North Virginia
I need to plant a shade tree for my horses and am considering a fast growing tree called an Empress Tree(paulownia). It would be outside of their fenced area but close enough to provide shade for the...
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Reedville, VA
Deer resistant wildflowers for Virginia
Looking for deer-resistant native wild flowers for full-sun location in the Northern Neck of Virginia. We want to replace large area now grass lawn.
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Gloucester, VA
Are leatherleaf viburnum or Carolina Sapphire toxic to horses?
Are Leather-leaf Viburnum or Carolina Saphire toxic to equine? I would like to plant them near the fence line.
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Gloucester, VA
Grass in mixed wildflowers in Gloucester VA
I have a acre of mixed wildflowers which is in its 3rd season. I now have some grass issues. I have sprayed for just the grass but still have too much. Should I bush hog, disk and replant ??
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Center Cross, VA
Plants to prevent riverbank erosion in VA
Looking for a plant to prevent erosion on a riverbank on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Prefer something low, bank is a bit steep for regular mowing but could be mowed infrequently. Riverbank h...
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Yorktown, VA
Honeysuckle bush for San Antonio, Tx
I'm looking for a gift for my brother, living in San Antonio. He loves the native honeysuckle that we both remember from our childhoods. I think I'd like to get him a honeysuckle bush rather than ...
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Williamsburg, VA
Grooming and propagation of Bee Balm
I planted our first Bee Balm [Mornarda didyma] bush a month ago. I`ve watered it daily and it is growing well with many runners apparent. Should I be deheading or pinching regularly? Should I cut it ...
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Williamsburg, VA
Reason for decline of Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) in Virginia
We have Wax Myrtle bushes in our back yard. They were about 2 feet tall when planted 2 years ago and now are about 7-8 feet tall. The leaves have turned brown and are dropping essentially denuding the...
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williamsburg, VA
Value of planting wildflowers versus maintaining turf
I'm trying to determine the cost/value of planting wildflowers and whether it is less costly than maintaining turf. Do you have any research on this topic?
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Williamsburg, VA
Controlling vegetation around retention pond in Williamsburg, VA
We planted Juncus effusus around a retention pond and various native shrubs last year. We are having a problem controlling bramble,lespedeza and broadleaf natives from taking over and native trees(wil...
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Saint Marys, MD
Native grasses for hill in Saint Mary's County, Maryland
Is there a native grass or grasses I can mow on a hill that faces south and is too large to water in Saint Marys County, Maryland?
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Newport News, VA
Looking for a male Southern Wax Myrtle in Newport News, VA.
We are looking to add more southern wax Myrtles to make a hedge row with them. We already have one in the ground that is a female. I have called around to see if anyone sells the male but i keep get...
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Newport News, VA
Plants to stop erosion on land near lake
My back yard runs down to the lake. The water is eroding my land. I want plants & flowers [full sun]that can be planted to stop the erosion and add color.
Another question: We have a huge oak tree ...
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Hampton, VA
Large shrubs for privacy screen in VA
Tonight my husband and I took down two large shrubs about 15' tall and spread across our yard to provide mostly privacy from the road and traffic noise. My question is this, since it's the front of ...
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Hampton, VA
Possibility of growing Smilax pumila (Wild Sarsaparilla Vine in Virginia
Hello, I am inquiring about a plant my grandmother keeps telling me about. It's called sarasee (sp?). It's supposed to have some medicinal properties like helping with a cold and things of that nat...
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Hopewell, VA
Need a tree that grows only 15 feet tall in Hopewell, VA.
We would like to landscape an area of our yard with a tree that grows no higher than 15 feet. This location receives full sun most of the day and we would prefer a drought tolerant species or one tha...
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Norfolk, VA
Identification of perennial with dark red/purple flowers
Need to identify a lovely perennial here in Norfolk, Virginia. It reseeds itself, spreads, and lingers into the late fall. It has rather thick, dark green, alternate spatulate leaves at the base wit...
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