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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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Questions From Near You

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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
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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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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Doswell, VA
Non-toxic plants for horses in Virginia from Doswell VA
Looking for a list of Non Toxic plants to horses in the State of Virginia.
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Glen Allen, VA
Shrubs for house landscaping in Virginia
I would like suggestions for types of shrubs to be planted in front of my house.
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Richmond, VA
Larval host plants for Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies
I am looking for a list of larval host plants for Painted Lady butterflies. Could you provide such a list?
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Richmond, VA
Plants for a steep bank in Virginia
I have a small yard with a 3 foot steep bank that I want to plant on. I am looking for fast growing ground cover. There is some shade but not a lot and has a southern exposure. Ground is a bit roug...
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Richmond, VA
Diseased non-native red tip photinias from Richmond VA
Our red tip trees have a while substance on the bark at the base of each tree..look like some kind of fungus or mold, but we don't know how to get rid of it. Please help.
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Richmond, VA
Plants native to Virginia
I would like to know what websites you would recommend for information about plants native to Virginia. Glad to have found Mr. Smarty Plants, it will be tops on my Favorites list. Thanks for your t...
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Richmond, VA
Need recommendations for privacy screen in Richmond, VA
Hello, I read through the previous posts on privacy screen plantings in the Mid Atlantic region. There was a lot of great information, but I has a specific question that was not answered. I would li...
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