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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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Questions From Near You

Morehead City, NC
Non-native fruit trees for eastern North Carolina
Are there any good fruit trees to grow in eastern North Carolina? For example peaches, apples, plums? What are your recommendations? Thank you!
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Newport, NC
Salt and wind tolerant plants for small containers in NC
We need two plants that will go in raised planters. Will be in full sun with lots of wind. Salt water nearby. Will have to keep plants sorta short I guess. We cannot find anything, although we see...
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Emerald Isle, NC
Transplanting non-native yellow lantana in Emerald Isle, NC
We live in Emerald Isle, NC. Can we transplant yellow lantana? It is not really a perennial but appears to be one at the coast. If so, when do you transplant?
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Stella, NC
Transplanting Agave havardiana in Stella NC
We have a havard century plant in a large pot outside that has a couple of "baby" plants starting to emerge on the outer perimeter of the plant. Can we sucessfully transplant these babies elsewhere ...
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Hubert, NC
Transplant of non-native Lathyrus tuberosus in North Carolina
I have a tuberous sweetpea vine that grows wild on our property. When would be a good time to move this plant to a better location?
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New Bern, NC
Plant ID of growth on wild grape vine in New Bern NC
There are purplish cone-shaped things growing on my wild grape vine. What are they?
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midway park, NC
Identification of palm plant
Hello! I just bought a tiny 10" tall feather leafed palm. I did my research first though, and thought I was buying an areca palm. Now after doing more research, I really have no idea what type of pal...
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Jacksonville, NC
Campsis radicans or cow itch
We cleaned my father-in-law's home-place up out in the country week-before-last. My wife, her 2 sisters and a niece have this unusual-looking poison on them. It is big red places and itches all ove...
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Jacksonville, NC
Ailing non-native red tip photinia
My red tips look like they are brittle and the leaves are spotted. What do I do?
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N. Topsail Beach, NC
Source for Century Plant in Wilmington NC
Where can I buy a Century plant in the Wilmington NC area?
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Topsail Island, NC
Need suggestions for trees to withstand high winds on Top Sail Island, North Caroloina.
Moving to coastal southern North Carolina. Planting native trees and shrubs, wax bayberry, Redbud, love the River Birch. What type of tree has the deepest roots or would be least likely to blow over...
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Holly Ridge , NC
Shrub for part shade for hedge in Holly Ridge NC
We live in Coastal NC. We would like a type of shrub for the front of our home which is partial shade, similar style to a boxwood or trainable hedge. What NC native would compare?
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Kinston, NC
Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC
I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you.
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Kinston, NC
Can Flame Acanthus grow in North Carolina, from Kinston NC
Can I grow the flame acanthus (humming bird bush) in eastern North Carolina. If so where can I find it. Thanks,
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Burgaw, NC
Damage from Hurricane Irene in Burgaw, NC
We live in Burgaw, NC and have begun the clean up efforts of Hurricane Irene which has made a full grown crape myrtle lean to one side. Its a very large tree and it is not uprooted. Is there anyway ...
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Wilmington,, NC
Ensuring survival of wax myrtle in Wilmington, NC
I just transplanted some wax myrtle bushes. What do I need to do to insure they live?
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Wilmington, NC
Fast-growing tree for Wilmington NC
What kind of fast-growing tree would you plant in Wilmington, NC?
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Wilmington, NC
Flying insects attacking yucca flacida in Wilmington NC
How do I treat flying insects from eating the flowers on my Yucca Flaccida shrub.
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Wilmington, NC
Different kinds of lantana in Wilmington, NC
I live in Wilmington, NC. I spent a small fortune on three varieties of lantana--Cherry Sunrise, Ham & Eggs and Bandana Red. I live on a salt water tidal creek and most are in full sun. Some are i...
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Wilmington, NC
Landscaping from Wilmington NC
I plan on moving to Belmont NC in the next couple of years and settling down with my future wife in her home town. I am a huge do it yourself person. I love to make things from scratch, including buil...
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Wilmington, NC
Care for century plant
What is the best way to care for a Century Plant? We were given one as a gift and don't know what to do with it.
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